Savo Minic accepts RS mandate, new government by Dec 15
The Republika Srpska prime minister signed a statement at the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, handed his premier powers to Andjelka Kuzmic and takes the oath on November 16.
Savo Minic, the outgoing prime minister of Republika Srpska and the SNSD candidate, signed a statement accepting the mandate of president of Republika Srpska on November 9, 2026, at the Central Election Commission (CIK) of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. Speaking to reporters outside the building, he said he had effectively taken up the office and that the entity’s new government would be elected by December 15 at the latest.
CIK announced the certified results of the October 4 general elections on November 3, declaring Minic president of Republika Srpska for a four-year term. He has not yet taken the oath, so the signature in Sarajevo is the first formal step toward assuming office.
Why did Minic accept the mandate at CIK?
He said he accepted the mandate “so that there would be no legal disputes.” In his words, amendments to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Election Law, which he called imposed, force CIK to interpret the rules even though that is the job of the country’s Parliamentary Assembly. He added:
“To remove all ambiguity and any possibility of any speculation, given that the elections went the way they went and that the victory is beyond question, I came here today to sign and to accept the mandate.”
On the social network X he wrote: “I have taken over the mandate of president of Republika Srpska, aware of the responsibility that comes with the trust of the citizens.”
Who takes over the prime minister’s powers?
Minic transferred all powers of the head of government to Andjelka Kuzmic by official act. Sources describe her differently: N1, relying on the Beta news agency, and Mondo, which carries the Srna agency, call her the minister of agriculture, forestry and water management. Minic used a different title in his post on X:
“I have transferred all the powers of the prime minister to the Deputy Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Andjelka Kuzmic.”
What comes next before the oath and handover?
Minic takes the oath at the constituent session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska on Monday, November 16. Milorad Dodik announced that date earlier, as we reported. The same day Minic goes to the Palace of the Republic, where outgoing president Sinisa Karan hands him the Constitution. According to Danas, he starts work in the Palace on Tuesday.
How will the government be formed?
Negotiations on the new government begin immediately, Minic says. He told reporters:
“From today we are starting negotiations on forming the Government of Srpska.”
As soon as he officially becomes president, within a day or two he will invite representatives of all parties to talks on who receives the mandate to form the government. The deadline is December 15.
What does Minic say about posts at the Bosnia and Herzegovina level?
Asked about a statement by Bosnia and Herzegovina Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic, who said the Serb side could receive the Foreign Ministry and the post of ambassador to the United Nations, Minic said SNSD had won one of its most convincing victories, which implies “certain controlling stakes.” He added that he has information on how posts at the state level will be distributed but, “for some other reasons,” will not disclose it. In the same address he said politics “implies a certain political power”:
“As for the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are absolutely aware that our goal is for authorities to be formed at that level as well. But, given the election results, we have a demand that we expect someone to respect, not because it is our wish, but because it is a political reality.”
He named international cooperation and moving beyond the framework of Republika Srpska, in relations with partners in Europe and the world, as the priority of his term. On the entity’s future he said:
“I think better days are certainly coming for Republika Srpska, and that, besides protecting the constitutional and institutional capacity of Republika Srpska, we will surely contribute to a better living environment.”
He thanked everyone who supported him in the elections and said he also values those who did not, because they are “always a benchmark and a balance.”
