The Government of the Republic of Srpska held its first, constitutive session in Banja Luka on 26 January 2026 during which the Decision on Appointment of the Working Bodies of the Government of the Republic of Srpska was adopted. Also, Dalibor Panić was appointed Secretary General of the Government of Republic of Srpska.

Prime Minister Savo Minić stated after the session that the Government of the Republic of Srpska would continue to work transparently, in the interest of its citizens and with full institutional responsibility.

He announced that meetings would be held with all chiefs of staff and secretaries this week, and that a clear system of work and transparency protocol would be established that would include regular public briefings after each Government session.

“The public must know what we are doing and how we make decisions. That is our obligation”, Prime Minister Minić said.

Referring to questions regarding the decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH, Prime Minister Minić pointed out he is waiting for the written decision to be delivered emphasizing that this Court does not have the jurisdiction to decide on the constitutionality of the Government of Republic of Srpska.

“As long as there is no written decision, any interpretations are speculation and political pressure. The constitutionality of the Government of Republic of Srpska is not within the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court of BiH”, the Prime Minister underlined.

He added that the Government was functioning in full capacity, despite pressures and attempts at political destabilization and even more so the new government will have even more intensive work and a stronger presence on the ground.

Prime Minister particularly emphasized that he would not allow personal and media attacks on members of the Government, and that their work would be evaluated solely on the basis of results.

"There are non-partisan ministers in the Government. Their integrity and work will not be the subject of harangue, but rather evaluated based on what they do", Prime Minister said.

He strongly condemned the incident in Tuzla in which young men of Serbian ethnicity were brutally beaten and said: "Such incidents do not contribute to security and stability, nor to trust between nations. We will not relativize violence, but at the same time we call for reason, restraint and responsibility".

The Prime Minister further stressed that he expected clear condemnation of such events from all relevant institutions, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region and warned that the repetition of such incidents could have serious consequences on social stability.

The newly appointed ministers in the Government of Republic of Srpska stated that responsibility and activities in the interest of the citizens would be in the focus of their work as well as solving of specific problems and strengthening of institutions.

Minister of Labor, Veterans' and Disabled People’s Protection Radan Ostojić emphasized that he remained a non-partisan figure and that he does not plan political activities, but would work solely in the interests of veterans, war veterans, families of fallen veterans, workers and pensioners.

He emphasized that the department he manages covers a large number of citizens and complex issues in the field of labor, employment relations, pension and disability insurance, and that direct work in the field was necessary.

"I have already started my mandate by visiting local communities and this will continue throughout my mandate. My door is open to everyone, as are the doors of my associates," said Minister Ostojić, adding that he expected strong cooperation with the Prime Minister and other members of the Government.

He particularly emphasized the importance of unity and harmony emphasizing that the Republic of Srpska was created and defended thanks to unity and that this was a prerequisite for responding to all challenges in the future.

Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Draga Mastilović said that he was honored to take up his position in the Government of the Republic of Srpska as a non-partisan figure, emphasizing that the department had a large amount of work and limited time ahead.

He said that the priorities of his work would improving the quality of higher education, strengthening scientific and research work, upgrading legal regulations in the field of science, as well as improving student standards.

Minister Mastilović expressed his expectation that the initiated infrastructure projects will be completed in the coming period, which will further raise the level of higher education and scientific activity in the Republic of Srpska.

Minister of Economy and Entrepreneurship Radenko Bubić emphasized that he will put the practical experience and knowledge gained in business sector to work to improve the work of the Ministry.

"My first step will be direct talks with businessmen, the Employers' Union and the Chamber of Commerce in order to identify problems and find solutions as quickly as possible", Minister Bubić said.

He emphasized that the goal is to create a more favorable business environment and strengthen support for the domestic economy.

New Minister of Trade and Tourism Ned Puhovac said that departments in his Ministry represented some of most challenging, but also the most promising segments for development.

He particularly emphasized the importance of improving the legal framework in the field of trade and tourism, as well as continuing the initiated activities aimed at strengthening these economic sectors.

Minister Puhovac said that during his term, he will work on stabilizing the system and improving business conditions, and that he expected that the processes that have been initiated will be completed in the coming period.

Minister of Family, Youth and Sports Irena Ignjatović emphasized that she took office with greta sense of responsibility and that she will dedicate her work to improving policies in the field of family, youth and sports. She emphasized the importance of cooperation with institutions, local communities and organizations operating in these areas, with the aim of creating better conditions for young people and development of good sports system.