Bosnia’s high representative post mired in US‑EU dispute

Christian Schmidt stepped down as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s high representative after pressure from Washington. Acting high representative Luis Krišok was installed by the Peace Implementation Council, but the United States is now pushing 76‑year‑old Italian diplomat Antonio Zanardi Landi as Schmidt’s successor, while European states favour French candidate René Troccaz.

The dispute has drawn sharp reactions: Schmidt told Germany’s Tagesspiegel that “the American side expressed a clear expectation that I end my mandate.” Russia’s embassy declared it “does not recognise the appointment” and maintains that the post remains vacant pending UN Security Council approval. Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik called for a review of Krišok’s appointment, questioning whether the Dayton Agreement allows an acting high representative. Bosnia’s foreign minister Elmedin Konaković warned that any reduction of U.S. involvement would “open space for Russia” to destabilise the country.

Diplomats from the US, EU, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and Turkey are meeting in Sarajevo to try to resolve the stalemate and agree on a new high representative, a role that carries significant powers over the post‑war political balance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.