Dodik at the helm of Republika Srpska to be replaced by interim president

The parliament of Bosnia's Republika Srpska has appointed Ana Tršić Babić as interim president after former president Milorad Dodik was banned from political activity by the state court.

Tršić Babić, a close ally of Dodik, will lead the entity until the new presidential elections on November 23. At the same time, the parliament repealed several separatist laws that had been passed during Dodik's term in office.

Dodik, who advocates for the secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia, has so far refused to step down and has appealed the court's ruling. Even after the ban, he continued to act as president, including traveling abroad. He challenged the state court's ruling and appealed to the constitutional court.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and several European countries are sanctioning him for actions they believe threaten peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(reuters, luc)