“That the elections, as ascertained by the international observers, were held in a peaceful manner, without episodes of tension, is positive”: that’s how Msgr. Pero Sudar, auxiliary bishop of Sarajevo, commented on the results of the recent elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in a statement issued to SirEurope. “Of course continued the bishop the low percentage of voters is a bit discouraging and reflects a certain disillusion in the government’s policy, which has not unfortunately improved living conditions, in this period following the war. Many people are still without work and the economy is stagnant. According to provisional figures, the elections were won by the nationalist parties, with the defeat of the moderate parties elected two years ago”. “In this context Sudar pointed out it is really difficult to predict what will happen. All the governments of Bosnia Herzegovina, but also of the former Yugoslavia, have failed to solve the problem of the co-existence between the different nationalities and reciprocal respect between the various cultures, ethnic groups and also religions. These elections have demonstrated that the government formed after the elections two years ago never tackled the problem that boxes Bosnia into a corner. It is to be hoped that the parties that won the elections understand that it is possible to live together and seriously tackle the question”. That’s why, concludes the auxiliary bishop of Sarajevo, “the aid of the international community will be indispensable, but it must accept the fact that those who govern in the country have the confidence of the people, without trying to impose solutions from outside. At the same time it should encourage citizens to devote themselves to the promotion of peaceful co-existence”.
