Bosnians choose tribalism

last updated 8 January 2015

Sarajevo

Ethnic nationalists of all stripes were victorious in the first elections Bosnia organized by itself since the 1992–95 war. Serbs, Croatians, and Muslims in the divided country voted for parties that seek more autonomy for their groups. Western diplomats warned that foreign aid for Bosnia could be endangered if the winners—to be announced officially next week—espouse the same separatist policies that sparked Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II. But Bosnia’s international administrator, British diplomat Paddy Ashdown, said the support for nationalists was merely “a protest vote” reflecting local anger about an unemployment rate of 60 percent. Ashdown said the peaceful, untainted election proves that Bosnians are competent to run their own affairs.