DPC BALKAN INSIGHT: The West Won’t Strike Gold in Bosnian Election.
DPC BALKAN INSIGHT: The West Won’t Strike Gold in Bosnian Election.

Author(s): Kurt Bassuener
Subject(s): Politics, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Electoral systems
Published by: DPC Democratization Policy Council e.V.
Keywords: BiH; elections; west; electoral system; floods; USAID; political elites;
Summary/Abstract: The West should not make the Bosnian electorate responsible for its own policy confusion. Since the formal election campaign period began in Bosnia three weeks ago, USAID has mounted a get-out-the-vote campaign entitled “Vote or Suffer.” Employing ominous music and evocative black-and-white images of the destruction wrought by the May floods, as well as references to the long-term devastation wrought by more than two decades of bad governance – such as unemployment and poverty – the campaign seems well suited to the mood of popular dissatisfaction. Western governments, particularly the EU and US, palpably hope that the elections will deal them a better hand in terms of potential partners to champion meaningful reform.

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