After several months of uncertainty, the Main Board of the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) has officially decided that party leader Branko Blanuša will be its candidate for President of Republika Srpska in the upcoming elections.
The decision, confirmed at a session of the party’s Main Board, highlighted deep divisions within the opposition bloc, particularly regarding cooperation with the Safe Srpska Movement (PSS), led by Draško Stanivuković.
Following the meeting, SDS announced that PSS would be offered the opportunity to nominate a candidate for another major elected position, as well as the post of Prime Minister should the opposition secure victory. Party officials also stated that the possibility of a future merger between SDS, PSS, and other opposition parties remains open and could be considered after the October elections.
“SDS is truly ready to welcome everyone who sees their political future within our party. That is the right path toward strengthening the political forces seeking change in Republika Srpska,” Blanuša said after the session.
Stanivuković responded by saying that he understood the messages sent by the SDS leadership and that PSS party bodies would carefully consider the proposal.
“Regardless of our different starting points and the challenges along the way, the most important objective is to achieve unity and ensure a joint appearance in the elections. As president of one of the leading opposition parties, I remain fully committed to that goal,” Stanivuković stated.
While PSS has yet to make a final decision, the position of the opposition List for Justice and Order is considerably clearer. The movement, which previously boycotted opposition meetings, announced that it would not support Blanuša’s candidacy.
The party’s leader, Nebojša Vukanović, sharply criticized the SDS president, accusing him of political inconsistency and a lack of credibility.
“Branko Blanuša is absolutely unacceptable to us after what has happened. For months he insisted that he would remain a candidate, only to propose his own withdrawal at a key party session. Such actions raise serious questions about reliability and leadership,” Vukanović said.
Political analyst Velizar Antić described recent developments within the opposition as a “collapse of the system,” expressing disappointment that opposition leaders had failed to overcome their differences and unite behind common candidates ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, SDS Main Board President Jovica Radulović announced that the party would formally invite opposition parties to support a joint candidate for the Serbian member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from Republika Srpska.
“In the coming days, SDS will send a written proposal to opposition parties suggesting that the candidate for the Serbian member of the Presidency be nominated by PSS,” Radulović said.
The latest developments underscore continuing challenges within the opposition camp as parties attempt to reach consensus ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive election campaign.
