Bosnia and Herzegovina: new presidency elected
Nationalist parties have made significant gains in the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The three members of the tripartite presidency were elected at the same time: Social Democrat Bosniak Denis Bećirović, Darijana Filipović of the Croatian HDZ BiH and Željka Cvijanović of Milorad Dodik's Serbian SNSD. Voter turnout was very low at just around 42 percent. The press discusses the implications for the country on its path towards EU membership.
No signs of change
For the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the result is sobering:
“Bosnia and Herzogovina, a state so desperately in need of change, is now locked into a future where things essentially stay the same. ... What one would have wished for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina was a sign of a fresh start and greater support from the EU against the influence of Washington and Moscow. And one would have wished for a ruling class that champions reform of the Dayton system, for a new constitution to hinder obstructionist politics and curb the use of ethnicity as a determining factor in the appointment of officials. But, as bitter as it sounds, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina will probably have to forget about that for the time being.”
Stuck in the EU waiting room
Bosnia and Herzogovina has missed the opportunity to take the EU path, Dnevnik comments:
“The EU, which is waiting for judicial reform and for politicians to agree on a new chief negotiator for Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession process with the EU, is the biggest loser in this election. Bosnian politicians have once again been given a mandate to maintain the status quo and languish in the EU waiting room – which, of course, benefits the continued existence of the political elite more than it does the people. … After the election, it remains unclear whether a stable government can be formed whose primary objective is to create a functioning state with a genuine European perspective.”