Statement of submissions: A new senior representative is being elected in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The former German minister will face the complex task of dealing with three aspects of nationalism.
Schmidt’s candidacy could push Russia forward and undermine Western goals in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the United Nations Security Council, the body that approved most (but not all) appointments to the position. Germany could try to circumvent the Russian opposition by not submitting Schmidt’s nomination to the United Nations Security Council for approval. But Moscow could respond by vetoing the renewal of the current mandate for the European Union’s military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUFOR Althea, which would require an extension by the United Nations Security Council each November. Without this re-authorization, the mandate of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina – as well as that of NATO – would expire, leaving the civilian mission of the Office of the High Representative without military enforcement of the peace agreement or its decisions. This means, in effect, bartering the EU or NATO force’s mandate with the appointment of a new High Representative, who is in a very weak position.
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