1 hr ago
Bosnia Election Sees Leftist and Nationalist Candidates Leading
Bosnia held an election for its three-part presidency and other political offices.
The presidency represents the country’s different ethnic groups.
Early results showed Denis Bećirović, Željka Cvijanović and Darijana Filipović leading in their respective races.
The count covered more than 90% of polling stations.
Turnout was 42.2% across Bosnia’s two entities.
Some voting continued late because of delays with new electronic equipment.
Many voters are frustrated by economic problems and political arguments.
Bosnia has been approved to open talks about joining the European Union, but those talks have not started.
Politicians said dialogue and cooperation would be important for progress.
With results from more than 90% of polling stations counted, Denis Bećirović, Željka Cvijanović and Darijana Filipović were leading in their respective races for Bosnia’s tripartite presidency.
Bećirović, a Social Democratic Party candidate, received 26.66% in the Bosniak-Croat Federation; Filipović of the Croatian Democratic Union had 14%.
In Republika Srpska, incumbent presidency member Cvijanović of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats had 55.34%.
Turnout across the country’s two entities was 42.2%; delays tied to a new electronic balloting system kept some polling stations open after the scheduled deadline.
Voter frustration centered on economic slowdown, stalled politics and slow EU accession progress; the country has candidate status, but accession talks have not begun.
- Who
- Voters in Bosnia and candidates for its tripartite presidency, including Denis Bećirović, Željka Cvijanović and Darijana Filipović.
- What
- Bosnia held elections for its tripartite presidency, national parliament and entity-level offices.
- Where
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the Bosniak-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska.
- When
- Sunday, October 4; the article does not specify the year.
- Why
- Voters elected representatives amid frustration over economic slowdown, political deadlock and slow progress toward EU accession.
EU Integration and Dialogue
Preserving Influence and Political Leverage
Bosnia’s EU path
EU Integration and Dialogue
EU integration is an stated national goal, and Bosnia has been approved to open accession negotiations; the article says reforms are still needed before talks can begin.
Preserving Influence and Political Leverage
Russia wants to slow EU expansion and preserve its influence over Republika Srpska, according to the report.
How to make political progress
EU Integration and Dialogue
Borjana Kristo called for progress through consensus, dialogue and mutual respect.
Preserving Influence and Political Leverage
The report describes divisive rhetoric and repeated political stalling, while voters said they wanted to move beyond such rhetoric.
Energy project transparency
EU Integration and Dialogue
The EU said the company selection for a proposed U.S. liquefied natural gas pipeline lacked competitive transparency.
Preserving Influence and Political Leverage
Washington has pushed for the $1.5 billion pipeline project; the article reports a disagreement between Washington and Brussels over the project and other matters.
Key facts
- Turnout
- 42.2% across Bosnia’s two entities.
- Count reported
- More than 90% of polling stations.
- Denis Bećirović
- Received 26.66% in the Bosniak-Croat Federation.
- Darijana Filipović
- Received 14% in the Bosniak-Croat Federation.
- Željka Cvijanović
- Received 55.34% in Republika Srpska.
- Election technology
- New biometric voter identification and electronic scanners were introduced; delays meant some polling continued past the scheduled deadline.
- EU accession
- Bosnia received EU candidate status in December 2022 and approval to open accession negotiations in 2024, but talks had not started.
Quotes
Borjana Kristo
Deputy-head of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We have won the member of the (Bosnian) Presidency, and the president of the Republika Srpska. An unexpectedly high result.”
theprint.in
“Bosnia must make progress solely on the principle of consensus, dialogue, and mutual respect.”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
Serbian President Vucic Resigns Ahead of October Parliamentary Vote
Serbia's President Vucic Resigns Ahead of Snap Elections
Kosovo Re-Elects Albin Kurti as Prime Minister Amid Crisis
Romanian PM-designate Muresan loses confidence vote, deepening political crisis
Sweden’s Left Holds Narrow Lead Ahead of Election