Željka Cvijanović facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Željka Cvijanović
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| Жељка Цвијановић | |
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Cvijanović in 2024
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| 18th Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| In office 16 November 2024 – 16 July 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Denis Bećirović |
| Succeeded by | Željko Komšić |
| In office 16 November 2022 – 16 July 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Šefik Džaferović |
| Succeeded by | Željko Komšić |
| 8th Serb Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Assumed office 16 November 2022 |
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| Prime Minister | Zoran Tegeltija Borjana Krišto |
| Preceded by | Milorad Dodik |
| 9th President of Republika Srpska | |
| In office 19 November 2018 – 15 November 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Milorad Dodik |
| Succeeded by | Milorad Dodik |
| 11th Prime Minister of Republika Srpska | |
| In office 12 March 2013 – 19 November 2018 |
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| President | Milorad Dodik |
| Preceded by | Aleksandar Džombić |
| Succeeded by | Radovan Višković |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Željka Grabovac
4 March 1967 Teslić, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Nationality | Bosnian Serb |
| Political party | Alliance of Independent Social Democrats |
| Spouse | Aleksandar Cvijanović |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater |
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Željka Cvijanović (born 4 March 1967) is a politician from Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is currently the Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a group of three leaders who share the job of leading the country. She has been in this role since 2022.
Before this, she was the president of Republika Srpska from 2018 to 2022. Republika Srpska is one of the two main parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Željka Cvijanović is a member of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats political party. She also served as the prime minister of Republika Srpska from 2013 to 2018.
In the 2022 elections, Cvijanović was chosen as the Serb member of the Presidency. She became the first woman to be a member of the Presidency since the Bosnian War ended. She officially started her role on 16 November 2022.
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Early Life and Education
Željka Cvijanović was born on 4 March 1967, in a town called Teslić in what is now Bosnia and Herzegovina. Before she became a full-time politician, she worked as an English teacher.
She studied at several universities. She attended the University of Sarajevo and the University of Banja Luka. She earned a degree in English language and literature. She also has a master's degree in diplomatic and consular law. Her master's work focused on the international and legal status of the European Union.
Political Career
Before becoming a top leader, Cvijanović worked as an English teacher. She also worked as an assistant for the European Union Monitoring Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Later, she became an advisor to the prime minister of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik. She helped with European integration and working with international groups. She also managed the prime minister's office.
In 2010, she became the minister of economic affairs and regional cooperation. This was part of the government led by Prime Minister Aleksandar Džombić. On 12 March 2013, Željka Cvijanović became the prime minister of Republika Srpska. She was the first woman to hold this important position.
In the 2014 elections, Cvijanović ran for the Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She lost by a small number of votes to Mladen Ivanić. After that, she was again appointed as the prime minister of Republika Srpska.
In the 2018 elections, Cvijanović was elected as the president of Republika Srpska. She took office on 19 November 2018. Her term as president ended on 15 November 2022.
In April 2022, the United Kingdom placed some restrictions on Cvijanović and Milorad Dodik. The UK said their actions were not helping peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The British foreign secretary said their behavior could affect security in the Balkans.
Presidency (2022–present)
Becoming a Presidency Member
On 1 July 2022, Cvijanović announced she would run for the three-person Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She wanted to represent the Serb people in the country's top leadership.
The general election happened on 2 October 2022. Željka Cvijanović won her election for the Presidency. She received 51.65% of the votes. This made her the first woman to become a member of the Presidency since the end of the Bosnian War. She officially became a Presidency member on 16 November 2022. She joined Denis Bećirović and Željko Komšić in the Presidency.
After the 2022 elections, different political parties worked together to form a new government. This group included Cvijanović's party. They chose Borjana Krišto to be the new Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers. The Presidency officially nominated her for this role. Cvijanović voted in favor of this choice.
In July 2023, the United States also placed some restrictions on Cvijanović. They stated her actions were seen as not helping regional security and peace. They also mentioned concerns about the Dayton Agreement, which is a peace agreement for the region.
Working with Other Countries
Željka Cvijanović has met with leaders from other countries. On 9 November 2023, she met with French President Emmanuel Macron in France. They talked about how Bosnia and Herzegovina and France can work together. They also discussed ways to improve the economy.
In January 2024, Cvijanović attended a big meeting in Uganda called the Non-Aligned Movement Summit. She said that the idea of "non-alignment" (not taking sides in big world conflicts) is still very important today.
Joining the European Union
Bosnia and Herzegovina is working to join the European Union (EU). On 15 December 2022, the EU officially recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina as a candidate country. This means the country can start the process of joining the EU. Cvijanović supported this decision.
On 8 February 2024, the Presidency agreed to start talks with Frontex. Frontex is an EU agency that helps manage borders. This was an important step for Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin official talks about joining the EU. On 21 March 2024, all 27 EU leaders agreed to open EU membership talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This happened after the country passed two more European laws. The talks will begin once more reforms are completed.
Personal Life
Željka Cvijanović is married to Aleksandar Cvijanović. They have two sons. Her family background includes both Bosnian Serb and Bosnian Croat heritage.
On 2 April 2021, Cvijanović received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Images for kids
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Cvijanović meeting with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, 13 March 2025
See also
In Spanish: Željka Cvijanović para niños
