Fadil Novalić facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fadil Novalić
Novalić in 2021
Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
In office 31 March 2015 – 28 April 2023
President	Marinko Čavara Lidija Bradara
Preceded by	Nermin Nikšić
Succeeded by	Nermin Nikšić
Parliamentary offices Member of the Federal House of Representatives In office 28 April 2023 – 19 February 2024
Personal details
Born	(1959-09-25) 25 September 1959 (age 65) Gradačac, PR Bosnia and Herzegovina, FPR Yugoslavia
Nationality	Bosnian
Political party	Party of Democratic Action (2015–present)
Spouse	Selvija Novalić
Children	3
Alma mater	University of Sarajevo (BE)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Entrepreneur, mechanical engineer
Military service
Allegiance	Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Branch/service	Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Years of service	1992–1995
Rank	Soldier
Unit	107th Gradačac brigade
Battles/wars	Bosnian War

Fadil Novalić (born 25 September 1959) is a Bosnian politician. He served as the Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2015 to 2023. He was also a member of the Federal House of Representatives from 2023 to 2024. He is currently serving a four-year prison sentence after being found guilty of certain actions related to his time as Prime Minister.

Novalić graduated from the University of Sarajevo in 1983. He worked for many years at a company called TMD "Gradačac Famos", starting as a designer and eventually becoming a director. Later, he led another company, TMD "Automotive Industry" ("Cimos" TMD). He also led the Association of Businessmen of Gradačac and the local football club Zvijezda Gradačac.

After the 2014 general election, Novalić became the Federal Prime Minister in March 2015. He was a member of the Party of Democratic Action. He continued in this role after the 2018 general election. As Prime Minister, he helped lead Bosnia and Herzegovina's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nermin Nikšić took over as Federal Prime Minister in April 2023, after the 2022 general election.

In May 2020, Novalić was accused of being involved in a scandal related to the import of medical ventilators. In April 2023, he was found guilty and received a four-year prison sentence. This decision was confirmed in January 2024.

Early Life and Career

Fadil Novalić is an entrepreneur and a mechanical engineer. He is known for helping to restart the automotive industry in his hometown of Gradačac. This happened after he served in the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War. During the war, he was a soldier in the 107th Gradačac brigade and was injured, losing two fingers.

Novalić earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sarajevo in 1983. He then worked for 17 years at TMD "Gradačac Famos", moving up from a designer to a director. In 2000, he became the head of TMD "Automotive Industry" ("Cimos" TMD). He also started several other companies. He was involved with the boards of "Wagner - Automotive" and "Namještaj" d.d. Novalić also led the Association of Businessmen of Gradačac and the football club Zvijezda Gradačac.

He joined the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) in 2015. Before that, he was already involved with the party's economic and financial policies. Since 2015, Novalić has also been a member of the SDA Presidency. He helped write many of the SDA's plans for the economy.

Prime Minister of the Federation (2015–2023)

In March 2015, the SDA chose Novalić to lead the government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His government worked with the Croatian Democratic Union. He stayed in office after the 2018 general election. This was because the political parties in the Federation had trouble forming a new government.

Protecting Rivers

Novalić spoke out against building too many small hydroelectric dams in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This region has some of the most diverse rivers in Europe.

He believed that clean rivers were more important than making more electricity at home. This made him a well-known figure in environmental protection in 2020. Famous American actor Leonardo DiCaprio even mentioned Novalić's efforts. DiCaprio urged the Federal Government to protect these important rivers in Europe.

Leaving Office

On 28 April 2023, there was a long political disagreement about forming a new Federal Government after the 2022 election. Christian Schmidt, who is the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, stepped in. He temporarily changed the Constitution for 24 hours. This allowed Social Democratic Party president Nermin Nikšić to be appointed as the new Prime Minister. At the same time, Novalić disagreed with this decision, saying that his removal was "illegal and unconstitutional."

Legal Issues

Novalić was questioned and then arrested on 28 May 2020. This was because of his alleged role in the "illegal import" of medical ventilators. A raspberry processing company called "FH Srebrena malina" was used for this purpose by the Federal Department of Civil Protection. He also faced charges related to money laundering. About 100 ventilators were bought from a Chinese company for 10.5 million KM.

Others arrested with Novalić included the Federal Minister of Finance Jelka Miličević, Fahrudin Solak (who was the Director of the Federal Department for Civilian Protection), and Fikret Hodžić (the CEO of "FH Srebrena malina"). On 5 April 2023, Novalić was found guilty by the court and received a four-year sentence. Hodžić received five years, and Solak received six years. This decision was confirmed by a higher court on 26 January 2024. Novalić began serving his sentence in Vojkovići prison on 21 March 2024.

Personal Life

Fadil Novalić is married to Selvija Novalić. They have three daughters.

On 13 July 2020, it was confirmed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic. He recovered by 26 July. On 25 August 2021, Novalić received his first dose of the Sinopharm BIBP COVID-19 vaccine.

Images for kids

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  Novalić in 2021