Milorad Dodik

Milorad Dodik

Milorad Dodik (born March 12, 1959) is a Bosnian Serb politician serving as the 9th and current president of Republika Srpska, the Serb entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, since 2018. He previously served as president from 1998 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2018.

Dodik is a controversial figure accused of corruption, cronyism, and secessionism. He has been a vocal opponent of the Bosnian government and has repeatedly threatened to secede from the country.

Early life and education

Milorad Dodik was born in Banja Luka, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia (present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina) on March 12, 1959. He is the son of Radoslav Dodik, a metalworker, and Milka Dodik, a teacher. Dodik graduated from the University of Banja Luka in 1983 with a degree in electrical engineering.

Political career

Dodik began his political career in the early 1990s. He was elected to the Parliament of Republika Srpska in 1992 and served as prime minister from 1998 to 2001.

In 2006, Dodik was elected president of Republika Srpska. He served in this position until 2010, when he was defeated by Rajko Kuzmanović. Dodik was re-elected in 2014 and again in 2018.

Controversies

Dodik has been a controversial figure throughout his political career. He has been accused of corruption, cronyism, and secessionism.

In 2009, Dodik was accused of corruption after it was revealed that he had used public funds to build a luxury villa for himself. He was also accused of cronyism after he appointed his wife, Snežana Dodik, to a government position.

Dodik has also been a vocal opponent of the Bosnian government and has repeatedly threatened to secede from the country. In 2016, he said that he would hold a referendum on secession if the Bosnian government did not agree to his demands for greater autonomy.

Personal life

Dodik is married to Snežana Dodik, a doctor. They have two children, a son named Igor and a daughter named Jelena.

Awards and honors

Dodik has received a number of awards and honors, including:

• Order of the Republika Srpska (1998)
• Order of St. Sava (2001)
• Order of the Holy Prince Lazar (2004)
• Order of the Russian Federation (2005)
• Order of the White Eagle (2011)

Net worth

Dodik's net worth is estimated to be between $10 million and $20 million.