Republika Srpska President Confirms Plans For Controversial Referendum

The president of Bosnia-Herzegovina's Serb-majority entity, the Republika Srpska, has vowed to go ahead with a controversial referendum on a regional holiday. Milorad Dodik said the vote would take place on September 25, despite a ruling by Bosnia's highest court that called the holiday “discriminatory.” It ordered a halt to the vote, which represents a challenge to the authority of the central government. The referendum has raised concerns that it could pave the way for a vote on the Republika Srpska's eventual secession from Bosnia, which Dodik dismissed as speculation. (RFE/RL's Balkan Service)