HDZ BiH dominates Bosnian politics as parties push to end OHR mandate

The Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH) leads a coalition of smaller Croatian parties that together secure all parliamentary seats won by the bloc, while partner parties receive little real influence. Election results from 2022 and recent party meetings show the alliance winning four mandates in the state parliament and the majority of seats in the Federation parliament, with most positions allocated to HDZ BiH candidates.

Croatian parties in BiH, including HDZ BiH, have united in calling for the termination of the Office of the High Representative (OHR). Party leaders Darijana Filipović and Ilija Cvitanović argued that the OHR’s continued mandate hinders stability and that Bosnia‑Herzegovina’s constituent peoples must assume full responsibility for the country’s future and its EU accession path. The U.S. embassy in Sarajevo blamed the EU for delays in appointing a new High Representative, while Bosniak and Serb parties expressed divergent positions on retaining or ending the OHR’s broad powers.