| Politics Of Bosnia And Herzegovina |
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Politics of Bosnia and Herzegovina takes place in a framework of a Federal Parliamentary Representative Democratic Republic , whereby the Council Of Ministers Of Bosnia And Herzegovina is the Head Of Government , and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive Power is exercised by the government. Federal Legislative Power is vested in both the Government and parliament. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The system of government established by the Dayton Accord is an example of consociationalism, as representation is by elites who represent the countries three major groups, with each having a guaranteed share of power. Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided into two ''Entities'' - the Federation Of Bosnia And Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska , as well as the district of Brčko . Each of the Entities has its own constitution. DAYTON AGREEMENT Due to the Dayton Agreement , signed 14 December 1995 , Bosnia and Herzogovina forms an international protectorate, with decisive power given to the High Representative For Bosnia And Herzegovina . It retained Bosnia's exterior border and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government - based on proportional representation similar to that which existed in the former socialist regime - is charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. The Dayton Agreement established the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. About 250 international and 450 local staff members are employed by the OHR. HIGH REPRESENTATIVE The highest political authority in the country is the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the chief executive officer for the international civilian presence in the country. Since 1995, the High Representative was able to bypass the elected parliamentary assembly or to remove elected officials. The methods selected by the High Representative are often seen as dictatorship. Even the symbols of Bosnian statehood (flag, coat of arms) have been chosen by the Highest Representative rather than by Bosnian people. The source of the authority of the High Representative is essentially contractual. His mandate derives from the Dayton Agreement, as confirmed by the Peace Implementation Council, an ad hoc body with a Steering Board composed of representatives of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK, the US, the presidency of the European Union, the European Commission, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. EXECUTIVE BRANCH The Chair of the Presidency Of Bosnia And Herzegovina rotates among three members ( Bosniak , Serb , Croat ), each elected as the Chair for an 8-month term within their 4-year term as a member. The three members of the Presidency are elected directly by the people (Federation votes for the Bosniak/Croat, Republika Srpska for the Serb). The Presidency is the Head Of State institution and it is mainly responsible for the Foreign Policy and proposing the Budget . The Chairman of the Council Of Ministers Of Bosnia And Herzegovina is nominated by the Presidency and approved by the House of Representatives. He is then responsible for appointing a Foreign Minister, Minister of Foreign Trade, and others as appropriate. The Council is responsible for carrying out various policies and decisions in the fields of diplomacy, economy, inter-Entity relations and other matters as agreed by the Entities. Each of the Entities has its own Council of Ministers, which deal with internal matters not dealt with by the state Council. Principal Government Officials
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