Good morning everybody,

Hope you’re all feeling well. This, as always, is Balkan Brew — your favourite newsletter with everything Balkan. Rodolfo here, reporting for duty.

Unfortunately, this week’s been busier than expected (although at this point, I should probably reassess my expectations, TBF), and we’re running with reduced manpower. Tommi’s away and my heart is broken, but as the old classic goes: I will survive.

This newsletter will be shorter than usual — please bear with us. We’re here for the long run, and as any successful long-term relationship teaches us: it’s all about sticking through the ups and downs.

SPEAKING OF WHICH. If you like this newsletter and want to support our work, please take a moment to forward it or share it with a friend who might enjoy it. It really means a lot to us. If you just received this now — why not subscribe? It’s free!

This week, we’ll dive into Dodik’s drama in Bosnia and Herzegovina and share some interesting links to stories you can enjoy at the office, on vacation, or — if you’re like me — while working from home and badly needing a break (but with nobody around to talk to).

On Wednesday, 6 August, the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina decided to terminate the mandate of Republika Srpska’s (BiH’s Serb entity) President, Milorad Dodik.

SAMO POLAKO. The decision isn’t in force yet — it’ll only kick in after the appeal deadline passes.

AND THAT’S … “In one month or two, depending on the papirologija [that’s a technical term for: bureaucratic BS],” according to N1. Classic.

WHY? Last week, the BiH State Court confirmed a verdict sentencing Dodik to one year in prison and banning him from politics for six long, long years.

CAN BUY ME FREEDOM. Dodik can pay a fine instead of going to jail (he’s already asked to), but as for the political ban? Well… ?

SPEAKING OF CLASSICS. Dodik didn’t take it well and said he’ll respond by organizing (wait for it)...

… A REFERENDUM. Dodik announced he’ll organize a referendum in Republika Srpska to, as he put it, “let the people decide on him and the functions which I exercise.”

Dodik and referendums: name a more iconic duo.

WHO’S WITH DODIK? Well, not everyone in Republika Srpska, for starters. Dodik proposed forming a unity government in the entity — both opposition parties (SDS and PDP) refused. That said, PDP seems open to possible deals down the line.

AND? Serbia stands by Dodik, of course. And Hungary, since Viktor Orbán has been a staunch supporter so far.

WHAT’S GONNA HAPPEN? Honestly? We don’t know. Dodik seems weaker and more isolated than in the past, if you ask us. But all options are on the table — including the very real possibility that nothing happens, and this just drags on for months (as it often does in BiH).

IN OTHER NEWS.

• Serbia is exporting weapons to Israel — big time. In just the first half of 2025, it exported more than it did in all of 2024, according to BIRN.

• Kosovo’s institutional stalemate continues. The country’s public broadcaster is running out of both funds and key staff.

• Trump’s new tariffs on several Balkan countries came into force on August 7.

AND FINALLY. The newsletter Vremenska Mašina, by the always excellent Miloš Vojinović, featured a piece on the Archives de la Planète project — which sent photographers to the Balkans in the early 20th century to capture incredible colour photographs of the region.

You can find out more at this link.

That’s all for this week. If you want to add something, suggest a correction, or just say hi — hit reply.

We’ll be back (hopefully in full force) next week.

Until then, you be good,

BB