The year 2025 in Bosnia and Herzegovina was marked by strong social, political and economic upheavals, from the increase in the minimum wage to 1,000 KM and the civil boycott of shops, through the tragedy in Brčko and Tuzla, the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and the Dayton Agreement, the shutdown of Al Jazeera Balkans and the death of Halid Bešlić, to the arrival of Frontex, arbitration disputes, femicide, early elections in the Republika Srpska entity and the dispute over Trgovska Gora, events that shaped the image of the country and opened new questions on its path to the European Union.
Minimum wage 1,000 KM
As of January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in the Federation of BiH was increased from 619 KM to 1,000 KM. This decision was made after negotiations between unions, employers and the government, and was presented as a measure to improve the living standards of workers. Trade union organizations welcomed the decision, emphasizing that it represents a historic step forward in the protection of workers’ rights. Employers, however, warned that increasing the minimum wage would cause additional costs and threaten the competitiveness of the economy. The public welcomed the decision with divided opinions, with some citizens seeing an opportunity for a better standard of living, while others expressed doubts about the sustainability of the measure. The adoption of the minimum wage of 1,000 KM opened a wide-ranging debate on economic sustainability and the fiscal capacity of the state. While workers expected an improvement in living conditions, businessmen warned of the possible closure of smaller companies and the growth of the shadow economy. The decision thus became one of the most important economic issues of the year, with long-term implications for the labor market and economic development of BiH.
Trade Boycott
In late January and early February 2025, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a boycott of retail chains, dissatisfied with rising prices and business practices. The action was launched spontaneously via social media, and soon gained mass support across the country. The boycott lasted for weeks and affected several large shopping malls and chains. Retailers initially downplayed the significance of the action, but the drop in sales and public pressure forced some chains to revise prices and offer special discounts. Trade unions and consumer associations supported the citizens, emphasizing that the boycott demonstrated the power of collective action. The media followed the action as an example of civil resistance and the fight for fair market conditions. The boycott of stores opened a broader debate on consumer protection and business transparency in BiH. It showed that citizens have the power to influence the market and that public pressure can lead to change. At the end of the year, the boycott was remembered as one of the rare examples of successful civil activism in the economic sphere.
31 children found in house in Brčko
In February 2025, police and social services in Brčko discovered a house where 31 children were being housed without adequate living conditions. The children were found in cramped quarters, lacking basic hygiene and care, and the case shocked the local community. The public reacted with disbelief and outrage, while the institutions of the Brčko District and state agencies launched an investigation into responsibility for the placement of the children in such conditions. Non-governmental organizations and international partners emphasized that the case showed serious shortcomings in the social protection system. The media followed the event as one of the most serious examples of child neglect in BiH. The discovery of the children in the house in Brčko raised the issue of the functioning of social services and the supervision of institutions that care for children. Investigations were launched and reforms were announced, but the public remained skeptical about whether systemic changes would actually be implemented. The event remained a reminder of the urgent need to protect the most vulnerable categories of the population.
30th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide
July 2025 marked the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the largest crime committed on European soil since World War II. The central commemoration was held at the Potočari Memorial Center, where the identified victims were buried. The event was attended by the families of the victims, local and international officials, as well as thousands of citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the world. The international community marked the anniversary with strong messages that genocide must never be forgotten and that the denial of the crime must be legally sanctioned. Commemorations and academies were held in Sarajevo, Brussels, Washington and other cities. Domestic politicians reacted differently, with some emphasizing the need for reconciliation and recognition of the truth, while others continued with the rhetoric of denial, which provoked condemnation from the public and international partners. The commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide reminded of the enduring pain of the victims’ families and the state’s unfulfilled obligations regarding justice and remembrance. The anniversary opened a new debate on educational programs, legal frameworks against genocide denial, and the role of the international community in preserving the truth. Srebrenica remains, 30 years later, a symbol of suffering, but also a test of BiH’s ability to confront its past and build a future based on truth and reconciliation.
The state of the media – the survival of BHRT and the closure of Aljazeera Balkans
During 2025, the Bosnian and Herzegovina media space faced serious crises. BHRT, the public service broadcaster of BiH, continued to operate under heavy financial strain, with constant threats of program closures and capacity reductions. In parallel, in the second half of the year, in July, Al Jazeera Balkans announced a decision to close its regional operations, ending the channel’s long-standing presence in Sarajevo. The closure of AJB caused a shock in the media community, as the channel was recognized as an important source of regional and international news. BHRT’s crisis reopened the issue of financing public service broadcasters and their role in preserving information pluralism. Journalist associations and civil society organizations warned that the BiH media scene was facing a serious collapse. These events left a deep mark on the BiH media scene. The media crisis in 2025 raised the question of the long-term sustainability of public information and pluralism, which will be one of the key challenges in the coming period.
Death of musical legend Halid Bešlić
In October 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region said goodbye to Halid Bešlić, one of the most famous performers of folk music. His departure marked the end of a musical era, as Bešlić had been present on the scene for decades and left an indelible mark on the cultural life of the country. The news of his death echoed in all media and evoked strong emotions among the audience. Numerous musicians, public figures and citizens gathered at the commemoration and concerts dedicated to his work. His songs, which marked the lives of generations, were once again in the spotlight, and the public paid tribute to his rich opus. Bešlić was remembered as a symbol of the Bosnian musical tradition and one of the most recognizable voices in the region. His work continues to inspire younger generations of performers, while the cultural scene of Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the loss of one of its most important representatives.
Arrival of Frontex
In October 2025, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency – Frontex, officially began operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its officers were deployed to key border crossings to assist domestic institutions in controlling migration and combating illegal crossings. The presence of Frontex was assessed as an important step in strengthening border security and harmonization with European standards. The European Union presented the arrival as a sign of trust in BiH, while domestic institutions emphasized that cooperation would contribute to better control of migration flows. The arrival of Frontex marked the beginning of a new phase in relations between BiH and the EU, especially in the field of security and migration. It is expected that their presence will help reduce pressure on domestic services and improve border management capacities. At the same time, this event is also seen as a political signal that BiH, despite internal blockades, remains on the European path.
Tragedy at the Tuzla Retirement Home
In November 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina was rocked by a tragedy at the Tuzla Retirement Home, when a fire engulfed a facility housing elderly and infirm residents. The accident, which killed 17 residents, caused great sadness in the local community. The news spread quickly and became one of the most tragic events of the year. The public reacted with outrage and sadness, and institutions faced criticism for the lack of adequate safety measures in social care institutions. Citizens’ associations and non-governmental organizations demanded urgent reforms in the system of care for the elderly. The tragedy raised the question of the responsibility of the home’s management and the relevant institutions. The accident in Tuzla became a symbol of the weakness of the social system in BiH. Investigations were launched and reforms announced, but the public remained skeptical about whether systemic changes would actually be implemented. In connection with this case, the former director of the Tuzla Retirement Home and his associate were arrested and charged with knowingly endangering the lives of residents.
30th Anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords
December 2025 marked the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, signed in 1995 in Dayton (Ohio, USA) and later in Paris. The event was an opportunity to remember the end of the war in BiH, but also to take stock of the state of the country three decades later. Academies and panels were organized in Sarajevo, while international partners, the USA, EU and UN, sent messages that Dayton remains the foundation of peace, but that it needs to be upgraded through reforms. Domestic politicians interpreted the anniversary differently – some emphasized that Dayton brought peace, while others emphasized that this framework was the source of long-term blockages and dysfunction. The public experienced the anniversary ambivalently, as a reminder of the end of the war, but also of unfulfilled hopes. The celebration of the 30th anniversary of Dayton opened a new debate on the need for constitutional changes and a redefinition of the political system of BiH. The anniversary served as a symbolic point for the international community to increase pressure on domestic actors, but also as a reminder that peace is not the same as a functional state. At the end of 2025, Dayton remained the foundation of peace, but also a framework that requires serious reform so that BiH could progress towards the EU and a more stable society.
Femicide Cases
During 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina was rocked by cases of femicide that caused great public concern. Tragic events were recorded in various cities in which women were killed as a result of domestic or partner violence. News of these cases resonated strongly in the media and raised the issue of women’s safety in society. Each of the cases caused a wave of protests and public debate. Non-governmental organizations and activists demanded urgent changes to the law and strengthening of institutional protection for women. Politicians promised measures, but associations warned that this was a repetition of promises already seen without real implementation. Femicide became a symbol of the wider problem of violence against women in BiH. These tragic events further highlighted the need for systemic solutions to combat gender-based violence. The public became more aware of the scale of the problem, and pressure on institutions to act intensified. At year’s end, femicide remained one of the most pressing social issues, reminding us that women’s safety must be a priority in reforms.
Viaduct case and arbitration
During 2025, the Bosnian economy was marked by arbitration disputes related to the Slovenian company Viaduct. The processes were conducted before international and domestic courts, and the focus was on issues of contractual obligations and business disputes that arose during the implementation of infrastructure projects. The Viaduct case and arbitration worth more than 100 million marks against the state of BiH, the damage it caused, then denied, the RS government ultimately paid. Instead of multi-million dollar investments, construction sites are deserted, and lawsuits are piling up, not against the entities but against the state of BiH, which is threatened by two new arbitrations. An attempt to peacefully resolve these disputes is underway, through negotiation teams formed by the Council of Ministers of BiH.
Relations between America and BiH
During 2025, relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States of America went through several important phases. Washington lifted some of the sanctions previously imposed on certain political actors, and at the same time, talks were held on the implementation of the Southern Interconnection project, which is crucial for the country’s energy security. The year was also marked by the departure of Ambassador Michael Murphy, who was one of the most active diplomats in BiH during his term. The lifting of sanctions was met with different interpretations, with some seeing it as a sign of trust and opening up space for dialogue, while others warned that it was weakening pressure on political elites. The Southern Interconnection was assessed as a strategic project for diversifying energy sources, and Ambassador Murphy’s departure raised the question of the continuity of American policy in BiH. Through all these moves, the US has shown that it remains a key international actor in the country. BiH-US relations in 2025 confirmed the continuity of American engagement, but also changes in diplomatic approach. The lifting of sanctions and the focus on energy projects emphasized the pragmatic dimension of cooperation.
Judgment in the Slaven Kovačević case
In October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg published the full text of the Grand Chamber judgment in the case of “Kovačević v. BiH”, which concluded that Slaven Kovačević could not be considered a victim of a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court upheld the objection to the admissibility of the application on the grounds that the applicant had abused the right to submit an application and that he did not have victim status. It also specifically found that the applicant’s requests were aimed at changing the constitutional and electoral system of Bosnia and Herzegovina allegedly in the general public interest rather than at defending his individual rights protected by the Convention and its protocols.
European path and blockades
During 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina continued its movement towards the European Union, but without opening negotiations. Although the Reform Agenda within the Growth Plan was adopted, key laws in the areas of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and the functioning of institutions were not implemented. Political disagreements between the entities and a blockade in the state parliament halted the process, and BiH ended the year without formal progress towards the EU. The European Union has repeatedly warned that BiH must demonstrate a serious commitment to reforms in order for the negotiations to be open. Domestic politicians have interpreted the situation differently, with some claiming that the reform agenda is evidence of progress, while others have pointed to a complete standstill. Analysts have assessed that the opportunity to symbolically link the opening of negotiations to the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement has been missed.
Early elections for the President of the Republika Srpska entity
In October 2025, early elections for the President of the entity were held in the Republika Srpska entity, after the previous one, Milorad Dodik, was stripped of his mandate by a ruling of the Court of BiH for disobeying the decisions of the High Representative. The election process itself attracted the attention of the domestic public and international observers, who monitored the regularity of the voting. The campaign was marked by strong political divisions and rhetoric that further polarized society. The results provoked different interpretations, with some seeing them as confirmation of continuity, while others emphasized the need for change. The early elections in the RS had a significant impact on the political dynamics in BiH. They demonstrated the deep division of the electorate and the continuation of political polarization, but also raised the question of the stability of the entity institutions. The outcome of the elections remained an important factor in relations between the entity and the state level of government.
Construction of a radioactive waste disposal facility on Trgovska Gora
In December 2025, the Croatian Parliament passed a law paving the way for the construction of a radioactive waste disposal facility on Trgovska Gora, right next to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The adoption of the law sparked heated reactions in BiH, especially in local communities in the Una-Sana Canton, which fear environmental consequences. The topic has become one of the key issues in relations between the two countries throughout the year. The Croatian Parliament’s decision opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, marked by tensions and demands from BiH to stop the project. Environmental activists warn that the construction of the facility could have long-term consequences for the environment and the health of the population. The Trgovska Gora issue remained unresolved at the end of 2025, with the prospect of being one of the most contentious issues in the coming period, Fena writes.
