Bosnian Serb leader says Bosnia is ‘dead’ ahead of election

Milorad Dodik, a leading figure among Bosnian Serbs, said Bosnia and Herzegovina is "dead" during his final campaign rally before the October 4 election. The terse declaration came as the country prepares to vote amid heightened political tensions. Bosnia has been experiencing sharp divisions over its governance and international alignment, with debates focused on the state's future structure and whether to move closer to the European Union or strengthen relations with Russia. Those divisions have shaped campaigning and public discourse ahead of the vote. Dodik's remarks reflect a wider contest in Bosnian politics between nationalist leaders who favour autonomy or looser central institutions and those pushing for stronger state-level integration and Euro-Atlantic ties. The statement is part of an election period marked by stark rhetoric on both the domestic arrangements and foreign policy orientation of the country. As Bosnians head to the polls, observers are watching how electoral outcomes will affect the country's internal cohesion and external relationships, particularly its path toward the EU and the influence of Russia in the region.