President of Republika Srpska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of Republika Srpska |
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Standard of the president of Republika Srpska
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Seal of Republika Srpska
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| Residence | Palace of the Republic |
| Seat | Banja Luka |
| Appointer | Direct popular vote |
| Term length | Four years renewable once consecutively |
| Inaugural holder | Radovan Karadžić |
| Formation | 7 April 1992 |
| Deputy | Vice Presidents |
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The President of Republika Srpska is the top leader of the government in Republika Srpska. This area is one of the two main parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The president works alongside the Government of Republika Srpska to lead the region.
People in Republika Srpska directly vote for their president. They also elect two vice presidents at the same time. These vice presidents must come from different main groups of people living in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These groups are Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks. A president and both vice presidents cannot all be from the same group. The president serves for four years. The official home of the president is in Banja Luka.
The first president was Radovan Karadžić, who took office in 1992. He was a member of the Serb Democratic Party. He led Republika Srpska during the Bosnian War. Milorad Dodik became president in 2022. He is from the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats party.
What the President Does
The Constitution of Republika Srpska explains the president's role. The president represents Republika Srpska and shows its unity. Republika Srpska has a parliamentary system of government. This means the president has certain important but limited powers.
Here are some of the president's main jobs:
- The president suggests a person to be the prime minister. This person then needs to be approved by the National Assembly.
- The president suggests people to become judges for the Constitutional Court. These suggestions come from the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council. The National Assembly then approves them.
- The president officially announces new laws.
- The president can grant pardons, which means forgiving someone for a crime.
- The president gives out special awards and honors.
- The president handles other duties as described in the Constitution.
If there is a state of emergency and the National Assembly cannot meet, the president can act. After getting advice from the Government, the president can declare a state of emergency. They can also order steps to deal with the emergency. During a war or if war is about to happen, the president can make decisions that usually the National Assembly would make. These decisions must be approved by the National Assembly as soon as it can meet again.
The president can also ask the Government for its opinion on important matters. They can call a meeting of the Government. The president can also add topics to the Government's meeting agenda.
Past Presidents
Latest Election Information
See Also
- List of presidents of Republika Srpska
- Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
