Louis J. Crishock named interim High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Christian Schmidt stepped down as High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10 May 2026, reportedly under pressure from the United States. The Peace Implementation Council (PIC) subsequently appointed the American diplomat Louis J. Crishock as acting High Representative, effective 1 July 2026, to guarantee institutional continuity and legal security until a permanent successor is selected no later than 14 July 2026. The PIC has not yet reached a consensus on a permanent appointee; the United States backs Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi, while EU members favour French envoy René Troccaz, and a “third option” is being discussed. Crishock will carry out the full powers of the office, including enforcement of the Dayton Agreement, and will act under PIC’s political guidance. In statements surrounding his departure, Schmidt said: “My leaving will not change anything significant in the work of the OHR.” Bosnian officials, including Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković, stressed that the OHR remains essential for preventing blockades and foreign interference, while EU representatives reiterated the need for a candidate who embodies Bosnia’s EU‑membership aspirations.