The High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina will soon resign from that position, and he should officially inform the public about everything in the coming days.
According to unofficial information from Klix.ba, Schmidt will state that he is resigning for personal reasons, but he does not plan to leave the position until a new High Representative is elected.
After resigning, Schmidt will ask the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) to initiate the process of electing a new High Representative because he believes that BiH is still not ready to function without that figure.
In his public address, he plans to explain why it is not yet time to close the OHR, and one of the main reasons is that the 5+2 program, which is a condition for closing the OHR, has not yet been fulfilled.
This is a program that includes a solution for state property, military property, implementation of the final arbitration award for the Brčko District, fiscal sustainability of the state, strengthening the rule of law, and two additional conditions: signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU and a positive assessment by the PIC of the political situation in BiH.
Schmidt, besides his personal reasons, has other reasons for resigning
One of the program’s conditions, the solution for state property, is one of the biggest problems that is causing Christian Schmidt headaches and is causing him to leave the position of High Representative. Namely, the current administration of the United States of America is extremely interested in resolving this issue, but Schmidt does not have an adequate idea.
Schmidt’s departure was preceded by years of lobbying from Republika Srpska to have him expelled from BiH, given that the authorities in that entity consider him illegally elected since he took steps that do not suit the SNSD.
At a time when the SNSD reached an agreement with the Donald Trump administration on the lifting of sanctions and the withdrawal of controversial laws from the RSNA, unofficial information from Klix.ba also said that Christian Schmidt’s departure was part of that package. Therefore, Schmidt’s resignation can also be viewed in that light.
In addition, in recent days, messages from the RS have intensified about the need for Schmidt to leave the position of High Representative, and the SNSD delegation visited Russia yesterday. After the meeting with Putin, they pointed out that Schmidt was one of the topics and said that they are asking Russia to intervene in the matter. On the other hand, according to information from Klix.ba, it is the Americans who are demanding that Schmidt leave, and immediately. They are also demanding that his duties be carried out by Deputy Louis Crishock, who is the supervisor for the Brčko District, until the election of a new High Representative.
