Politički.ba: Christian Schmidt is leaving!

By Sead Numanović/politicki.ba

The High Representative Christian Schmidt has ended his career in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As confirmed to Politicki.ba, he will be leaving this position.

His resignation is the result of the persistent efforts of Milorad Dodik's clique, as well as the insidious attacks simultaneously carried out against him by the structures led by Dragan Čović.

"It won't happen immediately, so as not to be obvious, but Schmidt is the past," says one of Politicki.ba's diplomatic sources.

Another specifies that his departure is expected in the first half of next year.

Politicki.ba's interlocutors also state that this does not mean the closure of the Office of the High Representative, nor the Bonn Powers. They remain, but as a last resort.

That's how it is for now!

In the meantime, a new High Representative will be chosen, who must have the approval of the United Nations Security Council! And that is – for now – the plan. Washington's.

Warnings from London and Berlin

Germany and Great Britain are particularly opposed to the plan for now. Official London, and especially Berlin, warn that the implementation of this "deal" would be catastrophic for the international community's policy to date. And not just in BiH. A new High Representative, tailored to Milorad Dodik, would have no authority. Bosnian Serbs already do not listen to him, and he would be met with hostility by Bosniaks as well.

Furthermore, the implementation of the agreement effectively means the euthanasia of the OHR.

The fate of numerous decisions by High Representatives is also a major question.

Such a change at the head of the OHR, moreover, opens up 'dilemmas' about the fate of some of the key decisions of High Representatives. The status of state property is particularly in focus.

High Representatives have protected it more or less consistently so far. Now, that too is being called into question.

Schmidt has already taken the first step in this direction by announcing the "softening" of previous decisions by High Representatives in this regard.

As Istraga.ba reported yesterday, at the request of the federal Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić, he initiated considerations for easing these measures.

"The issue of state property is highlighted as an issue that requires our attention. The current situation, where the disposal of this property is prohibited due to the decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, puts those who respect the rules at a disadvantage. Due to the higher level of compliance with the Constitutional Court's decision and the prohibition of disposal, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is exposed to negative economic consequences that could lead to a complete standstill. In the current political context, it is unrealistic to expect that a comprehensive solution on the distribution of state property can be reached at the state level with the consent of the RS authorities. However, it is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina that the prohibition of disposal be eased to ensure that authorities that respect the rule of law are not punished and prevented from initiating development projects," Schmidt said.

He further states that the current legal situation has led to serious legal uncertainty, and even to the blockage of project implementation at the entity, cantonal, and local self-government levels.

"This is particularly the case in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where authorities are making efforts to comply with the so-called prohibition of disposal of state property and relevant decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the RS authorities continue to openly violate them. Therefore, calls from domestic authorities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a swift resolution of this urgent issue have increased, including the introduction of amendments to the so-called prohibition of disposal of state property. These amendments, it is claimed, could enable the realization of numerous currently blocked projects and help mitigate negative economic consequences," Schmidt states.

This part of the story clearly testifies to the absurdity of the High Representative's policy! He began his mandate by strengthening the protection of state property. And he is ending it with the erosion of that decision!

Empty wishes or hollow talk

Schmidt was appointed High Representative on August 1, 2022.

Before that happened, in his rare public appearances, he announced the "restoration of the rule of law" and a "comprehensive fight against corruption."

As a lawyer, he knew and knows what needs to be done.

As High Representative, he did not do it. He had and has the Bonn Powers at his disposal. But he used them selectively, minimally or not at all for the genuine strengthening of the fight against corruption.

The first decision he signed, using the Bonn Powers, is dated April 12, 2021.

He imposed amendments to the law on the temporary prohibition of disposal of property of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Unlike his predecessor Valentin Inzko, who did not use this exceptional instrument for seven out of a record total of 11 years of his mandate, Schmidt began to use the Bonn Powers more and more.

In his first year in office, he resorted to them eight times.

In that year, he also imposed two of the most important and far-reaching decisions that still complicate and burden relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, more precisely, the Federation entity.

On election night, October 2, 2022, he changed the Election Law of BiH and the Constitution of the FBiH entity. He effectively suspended the political will of Bosniaks for 24 hours and strengthened the political position of Dragan Čović's HDZ by giving him new disproportionate political power through the distribution of mandates of delegates to the House of Peoples of the FBiH.

This unprecedented massacre of democracy also led to citizen protests in Sarajevo and high tensions. The decision has not been and will not be changed, and it remains that in some cantons, one Croatian vote was stronger than a dozen Bosniak votes!

Schmidt did not just use the Bonn Powers indiscriminately.

His public appearances regularly caused stormy reactions, including scandals.

Schmidt will, by all accounts, leave next year as he arrived. Accompanied by controversy.

And he arrived by the will of Angela Merkel, who was then putting out a fire in a coalition with the Christian Social Union.

The Bavarian politician got a job in BiH to satisfy his ambition – at least temporarily – and to stabilize the coalition in Germany.

His power in BiH was not a reflection of personal abilities, but of circumstances.

Murphy as the true High Representative

He was strongest when the agile and robust Michael Murphy, the Ambassador of the United States of America, served in BiH. If Murphy had his way, Schmidt would have made decisions and imposed changes almost every day.

But the German was not that agile. However, he did listen to Murphy.

When Murphy left, his power also significantly evaporated. Donald Trump came to power in the US.

The team around him, who meddled in Balkan troubles, was not favorable to him. But Milorad Dodik and Dragan Čović were. Although he tried to help and strengthen the leader of the Bosnian Croats, Čović's love for Dodik and his dealings with him were incomparably stronger!

Schmidt tried to find refuge on this side of the Atlantic Ocean – in European countries. The European Union reluctantly accepted the tutelage. Great Britain wanted to fill the crater left by the American departure. However, the hole turned out to be a bottomless pit!

That the international community's system of functioning was disrupted could already be seen at the end of last year. On November 21, 2024, the High Representative imposed the "Order on supporting the functioning of the National and University Library of BiH and other significant cultural institutions of BiH". And to this day, it is a dead letter.

July 17 of this year was decisive. Schmidt, with the support of the Europeans, resorted to the Bonn Powers. He imposed amendments to the Law on the BiH Budget. The Americans reacted stormily.

"Enough!" was the message from Washington.

Trump's death warrant

The death warrant from the Trump administration has now been operationalized.

For them, Schmidt has ceased to be the High Representative.

The "signs" could be seen earlier. The US was regularly silent at Peace Implementation Council sessions and had no official stance on any of Schmidt's moves or significant developments in BiH.

Speculation was already circulating in the media at that time that the Americans were also withdrawing from the OHR. The payment of the subsidy from the US, vital for the functioning of this institution, was delayed.

When it arrived, it was a package – an unwritten, but clear message – Schmidt must go, the OHR and Bonn Powers should remain. But on our terms.

Christian Schmidt did not (consciously) destroy the OHR.

This institution has been plundered for years, with the wholehearted engagement of diplomats.

There are countless examples, and former High Representatives could write novels of scandals.

Schmidt probably had good intentions. But his actions were most often not like that. Far from it!

Activities for the selection of his successor have not yet begun.

Christian Schmidt's Deputy Chief is American career diplomat Louis J. Crishock. He is also the supervisor for Brčko.