Europe

Dodik Ally Set to Win Bosnian Vote Amid Calls for Secession

Sinisa Karan casts a ballot during a pre-term presidential elections in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Nov. 23. — Sinisa Karan casts a ballot during a pre-term presidential elections in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Nov. 23.
Photographer: Elvis Barukcic/AFP/Getty Images

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By Jasmina Kuzmanovic

November 23, 2025 at 9:32 PM UTC

Updated on

November 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM UTC

An ally of ousted Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik was on course to win Sunday’s snap presidential election after Dodik stepped down under a deal with the US, according to preliminary results.

Sinisa Karan, 63, a former interior minister and member of the dominant Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, took about 50.3% of the vote, the central electoral commission in Sarajevo said on Monday after almost all ballots were tallied. Branko Blanusa, the candidate of the main opposition Serb Democratic Party, was running second at 48.37%. Turnout was about 35%.