The Tri-Presidency

The most striking feature of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is that it is an institution comprised of three members, not a single executive position as it is in most countries with a presidential political system. The tri-presidency of BiH, like other State institutions in Bosnia, is designed to divide power between the three constituent peoples.

Each of the three members of the Presidency is a representative of one of the three constituent peoples. A citizen of Bosnia who is not a member of one of the three constituent peoples, for instance a member of a national minority or a Constitutionally defined “Other,” is ineligible to be elected to the Presidency.

The members of the Presidency also represent one of the two Entities of Bosnia. The Croat and Bosniak members of the Presidency are elected from the territory of the Federation – meaning that the candidates and the electors are citizens of the Federation.²⁷⁹¹ The Serb member of the Presidency is elected by citizens of the RS from among candidates who are RS citizens.