SCHMIDT LED BiH TO EDGE OF WAR, HIS EXIT IS RELIEF

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 10 /SRNA/ – The Speaker of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Nenad Stevandić said he welcomed the departure of Christian Schmidt, claiming that Schmidt had brought BiH to the brink of war.

Stevandić assessed that Republika Srpska had defeated Schmidt, whom he accused of trying to act like a sultan by imposing laws. “I welcome Schmidt’s departure because he had targeted Milorad Dodik and myself. Major turning points occurred in 2025, not only due to the Americans and sanctions, but also because of the failure of those who wanted to have us arrested,” Stevandić told Glas Srpske. Commenting on announcements that Karen Pierce, the United Kingdom’s special envoy for the Western Balkans, could succeed Schmidt, Stevandić said that BiH no longer needs a High Representative and that this role should be taken over by the EU. “We are not approaching the High Representative, but this community. However, the EU seems to be losing momentum in all of this,” Stevandić said, adding that the EU is the biggest loser and expressing hope that it will realize that Balkan countries are not its enemies but a significant support. He assessed that nothing will change regarding the blockade at the BiH level until the general elections and that changes will come only after the Federation of BiH undergoes a catharsis, resolving what he described as unnecessary burdens and actions aimed at harming Republika Srpska. He also referred to Zijad Krnjić, accusing him of mistreating thousands of people at a border crossing, which he described as chauvinism, claiming that such behavior would not occur if the crossing were located in the Federation of BiH. As long as such policies persist, Stevandić believes BiH will continue to disintegrate, arguing that this is a result of undermining the rights of the Serb people. Regarding the visit of Donald Trump Jr. to Banja Luka, Stevandić said it demonstrated that Republika Srpska is on the global map as a destination for people experienced in business and politics. “What remains is for EU countries to begin to respect us and not take sides in BiH. We are conducting active diplomacy in that regard through the Serb member of the BiH Presidency, the Government, and the National Assembly,” Stevandić added.