# Bosnian political coalition negotiations

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bosnian-political-coalition-negotiations
> Updated: 2026-11-05T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2.

Political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina have begun processes to form new cantonal governments following recent elections. In the Zenica-Doboj Canton, the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) initiated negotiations to establish a programmatic coalition. The SDA, which projected holding between 14 and 15 mandates, sought to secure the Prime Minister position with an emphasis on professional expertise. In the Central Bosnia Canton, the SDA and HDZ BiH reached an agreement to constitute the new Assembly within legal timeframes. While leaders agreed on the assembly formation, the election of leadership, and the selection of delegates, they have not yet reached an agreement regarding the composition of the new government or the distribution of ministerial positions. Negotiations are facing potential blockades at multiple levels. At the federal level, the SDA is reportedly considering Nezir Pivić and Suad Huskić as potential candidates for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Prime Minister. The formation of the state-level Council of Ministers is complicated by divisions between Sarajevo-based parties and Milorad Dodik, leader of the SNSD, who has rejected certain political partners and demanded reforms to the Constitutional Court. Additionally, Ilija Cvitanović of HDZ 1990 has argued that amendments to the Election Law should be a prerequisite for forming the new Council of Ministers. Following the confirmation of election results by the Central Election Commission, legal deadlines have commenced for the constitution of new parliamentary assemblies. The House of Representatives must convene in Sarajevo by December 3, 2024. Refik Lendo of the SDA is expected to preside over the first session as the oldest elected representative, unless he steps aside to maintain an executive role, which would allow Obren Petrović of the SNSD to take over.

## Claims

- The House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be convened by December 3, 2024. (reported by 3 sources)
- Refik Lendo is the oldest elected representative and may preside over the first session. (reported by 2 sources)
- The SDA party won 9 mandates in the House of Representatives. (reported by 2 sources)
- The SNSD party won 6 mandates in the House of Representatives. (reported by 2 sources)
- The SDP party won 5 mandates in the House of Representatives. (reported by 2 sources)
- The HDZ BiH party won 4 mandates in the House of Representatives. (reported by 2 sources)
- Milorad Dodik has identified the Party for BiH as an undesirable partner. (reported by 2 sources)
- The Tuzla Canton Assembly has a legal deadline of November 13 for its constituent session. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-05: Bosnia and Herzegovina begins parliamentary formation process

Legal deadlines have begun for constituting new parliamentary assemblies in Bosnia and Herzegovina following election results, amid potential political deadlock over state-level government formation.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sda-and-hdz-bih-agree-on-central-bosnia-canton-assembly-formation

### 2026-10-12: SDA begins coalition negotiations in Zenica-Doboj Canton

The SDA has begun negotiations to form a new majority in Zenica-Doboj Canton, aiming for 15 assembly seats and the Prime Minister position.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sda-begins-coalition-negotiations-in-zenica-doboj-canton

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Cite as: Bosnian political coalition negotiations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bosnian-political-coalition-negotiations