DOMINANT ANGLE
Moscow is particularly holding onto the thanks from Milorad Dodik to Vladimir Putin: the SNSD's victory in Republika Srpska is being presented as a success for a partner of Russia, with no political surprise.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
After 90 % of the votes have been counted, Zeljka Cvijanovic (SNSD) is leading for the Serbian seat of the presidency with 55.34 %, according to TASS
- 02
Dodik says: "I also thank President Vladimir Putin, who received us before the elections"
- 03
The SNSD is leading in all constituencies for the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska with over 35 %
ANALYSIS
Moscow, October 5, 2026. The TASS agency, from Belgrade, and Interfax reported on Sunday, October 4, the preliminary results of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After counting 90% of the votes, Denis Becirovic (Social Democratic Party) is leading for the Bosniak seat with 38.12%, ahead of Bakir Izetbegovic (33.98%). Darjana Filipovic, from the HDZ of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is leading among Croats with 46.56%, against Slaven Kovacevic (30.54%). Zeljka Cvijanovic, from the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), dominates the Serb seat with 55.34%, against 26.55% for Marinko Bozovic, from the opposition.
The Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska, Savo Minic, is declared the winner of the presidency of the entity with 52.13%, against 41.95% for the opponent Branko Blanusa. In the House of Representatives, the Party of Democratic Action collects 19.89% and the SNSD 16.44%; the "Srpska sigurna" movement of the mayor of Banja Luka, Drasko Stanivukovic, obtains 5.99%. The SNSD is leading in all constituencies for the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska, with more than 35%.
The story highlights the statement of Milorad Dodik. TASS reports: he announces the victory of his party and thanks Vladimir Putin. "I announce our victory at all levels," he said at a press conference, referring to two-thirds of the seats for his coalition in the entity's parliament. He added: "I also thank President Vladimir Putin, who received us before the elections." On X, according to Interfax, he wrote "I proclaim the victory of the SNSD!" and congratulated Cvijanovic and Minic.
TASS recalls the 1995 Dayton framework: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (about 51% of the territory), the Republika Srpska (about 49%), and the Brcko district, with proportional representation of Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats. Vedomosti quotes Iakov Smirnov, from the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences: the elections are accompanied by numerous speculations, both in Bosnia and abroad, but no serious political surprise is expected. The articles do not mention either the turnout or the ban on Dodik holding public office.
