In January 2023, Krišto was appointed Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers, following the 2022 general election.
Early life and education
The daughter of Jože Krželj and Janja, Krišto grew up in Livno, where she graduated from the high school of economics in 1980. She then obtained a degree from the Faculty of Law in Banja Luka in 1984, and passed the bar exam in Sarajevo.[2]
Krišto worked in the legal department of several companies: "Agro Livno" (1987–1988), "Guber Livno" (1990–1991), "Likom Livno" (1991–1992) and "Livno bus" (1995–1999).[2]
Political career
Krišto entered into politics in 1995, joining the Croatian Democratic Union. She has been the party's deputy president since 2007.[3] Krišto worked as Minister of Justice in the Government of Canton 10 from 1999 to 2000, and later as Secretary of the Cantonal government from 2000 until 2002.[2] At the 2002 general election, she was elected to the Federal House of Representatives. However, she did not become a member, as she was appointed Minister of Justice in the Federal Government.[2]
At the 2014 general election, Krišto was once again elected to the national House of Representatives. She was re-elected to office in the 2018 general election.[2] The Croatian Democratic Union announced Krišto's candidacy in the Bosnian general election in June 2022, running once again for Presidency member and representing the Croats.[9] At the general election, held on 2 October 2022, she failed to get elected, having obtained 44.20% of the vote. The incumbent Bosnian Croat presidency member Željko Komšić got re-elected, obtaining 55.80% of the vote.[10]
Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers (2023–present)
The national House of Representatives confirmed Krišto's appointment on 28 December, making her the first female Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers.[13][14] On 25 January 2023, the House of Representatives confirmed the appointment of Krišto's cabinet.[15] Krišto pledged she would lead a national government that will work hard to restart delayed integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the European Union.[16]
Foreign policy
On 16 February 2023, Krišto made her first official visit to neighbouring Croatia and met with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, where they discussed bilateral relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.[17] In April 2023, she met with Pope Francis in Vatican City.[18]
In an interview to Israel Hayom, Krišto supported moving Bosnia and Herzegovina's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, but said that this move depended on the Bosnian Presidency.[19] With the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war in October 2023, Krišto condemned Hamas' attacks as "unjust and brutal" and expressed support for Israel.[20]
On 20 March 2023, Krišto went to Brussels, meeting with European Council president Charles Michel, who she thanked for the EU's continuous support to Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Michel congratulated Krišto and her cabinet on the adoption of the Program of Economic Reforms of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2023–2025, which represents a strong step forward on the country's European path.[21]
In August 2023, Krišto attended the Bled Strategic Forum, where she talked about Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress on its future EU accession, saying that the country "made a huge step forward in terms of harmonizing our legislation with the European Union and of course in terms of meeting the requirements of the opinion of the European Commission", as well as adding that she held a series of bilateral meetings with other officials as part of the Forum.[22]
On 21 March 2024, at a summit in Brussels, all 27 EU leaders, representing the European Council, unanimously agreed to open EU accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina after the Council of Ministers adopted the law on the prevention of conflict of interests and the law on anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing among other things.[23][24] Talks are set to begin following the impeding of more reforms.[24][25]