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Milorad DodikPresident of the Republic of Serbia Flag from November 15, 2022
Date of Birth: 12.03.1959
Country:  Serbia |
Content:
- Milorad Dodik: Bosnian-Serb Statesman and Politician
- Political Career
- Formation of the SNSD
- First Premiership
- Second Premiership
- Presidency of the Republika Srpska
- Serbian Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Personal Life
Milorad Dodik: Bosnian-Serb Statesman and Politician
Early Life and EducationMilorad Dodik was born in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on March 12, 1959. The son of Bogoljub and Mira Dodik, he grew up in Laktaši, where he played basketball for the town team in the Yugoslav amateur league. After graduating from secondary school in 1978, Dodik enrolled in the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Belgrade, graduating in 1983.
Political Career
From 1986 to 1990, Dodik served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Municipal Assembly of Laktaši. Following the first multi-party elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1990, he was elected to the People's Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a member of the Union of Reformist Forces of Yugoslavia.
During the Bosnian War, Dodik became a member of the People's Assembly of the Republika Srpska (RS). He founded the Club of Independent Deputies within the Assembly, opposing the policies of the ruling Serbian Democratic Party.
Formation of the SNSD
After the signing of the Dayton Accords in 1996, the Club of Independent Deputies evolved into the Party of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), with Dodik as its first president. In 1997, he supported Biljana Plavšić in the power struggle against Radovan Karadžić, gaining the backing of international organizations.
First Premiership
In 1998, Dodik became Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska for the first time. However, his attempt to dissolve the RS News Agency (SRNA) sparked a conflict with President Nikola Poplašen. Poplašen attempted to dismiss Dodik, but the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina intervened, removing Poplašen instead.
Second Premiership
Dodik served as Prime Minister of the RS again from 2006 to 2010. During this time, he blocked Bosnia and Herzegovina's efforts to join NATO. He also stated that the RS would not rule out a referendum on independence, following Montenegro's secession.
Presidency of the Republika Srpska
In 2010, Dodik was elected President of the Republika Srpska. As president, he continued to advocate for the RS's autonomy and opposed its integration into the wider Bosnian state.
Serbian Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
In 2018, Dodik won the election for the Serbian member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He served in this role until 2022, when he was re-elected as President of the Republika Srpska.
Personal Life
Milorad Dodik is married to Snežana Dodik, with whom he has two children. A former basketball player, Dodik stands at 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) tall.
