Samir Avdić

Samir Avdić (born 21 March 1967) is a Bosnian politician and former professional basketball player serving as the 41st mayor of Sarajevo since July 2025. He previously served as deputy mayor of Sarajevo from 2023 to 2024. A member of the People and Justice party, Avdić was also Minister of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton from 2021 to 2023.

Samir Avdić
Avdić in 2025
41st Mayor of Sarajevo
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 July 2025
Preceded by	Predrag Puharić
Additional positions Deputy Mayor of Sarajevo In office 26 July 2023 – 18 November 2024 Mayor Benjamina Karić
Personal details
Born	(1967-03-21) 21 March 1967 (age 58) Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia
Political party	People and Justice (2018–present)
Other political affiliations	Party of Democratic Action (2012–2018)
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Sarajevo (BSSM, MSSM)
Basketball career
Personal information
Listed height	2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Career information
Playing career	1985–2003
Position	Shooting guard
Career history
1985–1993	Bosna
1993–1994	Unicaja Málaga
1995–1997	Tofaş
1998–1999	Tuborg İzmir
2002–2003	Bosna
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Yugoslavia U19 World Cup 1987 Italy Under-19

During his professional basketball career, Avdić played as a shooting guard, representing both Yugoslavia and later the Bosnia and Herzegovina men's national team, which he also captained. He is one of the all-time leading scorers of the Bosnian national team.

Early life and education

Avdić was born in Sarajevo, SFR Yugoslavia, present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina on 21 March 1967. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree in sport management from the University of Sarajevo.^[1]

Basketball career

Avdić came through the youth system of former European champions Bosna, where he began his professional career. He later played abroad in Spain for Unicaja Málaga and in Turkey for Tofaş and Tuborg İzmir.^[1] He was a pivotal member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina men's national team, and played at the EuroBasket 1993, 1997 and 1999. Bosnia and Herzegovina managed to reach the quarter-finals of the 1993 edition.^[2]

Avdić represented Yugoslavia at youth levels, winning Balkan, European and World Championships, including the 1987 FIBA Under-19 World Championship. After the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he became captain of the country's national basketball team.^[1]

Following retirement, Avdić served as sporting director of the Bosnian national team.^[1]

Political career

Avdić entered into politics after getting elected to the Novo Sarajevo Municipal Assembly in the 2012 municipal elections as a member of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA).^[3] He then left the SDA and joined People and Justice (NiP) in 2018, and served as Minister of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton from January 2021 to March 2023.^[4] He was appointed deputy mayor of Sarajevo in July 2023, serving until November 2024.^[5]

In November 2024, the Social Democratic Party nominated Predrag Puharić for the office of mayor of Sarajevo following his predecessor Benjamina Karić getting elected municipal mayor of Novo Sarajevo a month prior in the 2024 municipal elections.^[6] The Sarajevo City Council appointed him as mayor on 29 November until the formation of a new City Council and the appointment of a new mayor.^[7] Following lengthy coalition negotiations, NiP nominated Avdić, who was eventually elected mayor by the City Council on 16 July 2025.^[8] Upon his appointment, Avdić stated that he did not perceive his "mandate as a political function, but rather as a call to serve the citizens of Sarajevo."^[9]

Personal life

Avdić is married and has two sons. Apart from Bosnian, he also speaks English, Spanish and Turkish.^[1]