The new assertiveness of civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina gives reason to hope that political leaders will stop ignoring the demands of their own constituents, High Representative Valentin Inzko told students in Mostar today.
“People from all walks of life and in every part of the country are demanding transparent and less wasteful government, and investment in jobs, education and public services,” the High Representative said. “They’re demanding that their leaders do the work they were elected to do. And they are demanding a better deal for all citizens.”
The High Representative said that citizens have now started “taking into their hands the job of fixing broken government” and popular pressure has already delivered some change. He said the plenums organised in various cities “have set new standards of constructive and transparent political discourse.” “This is a long awaited development that could help to break the deadlock that has blocked progress for nearly two election cycles.”
While in October “the people will have the opportunity once again to exercise the ultimate authority in a democratic society,” the High Representative said that much could be done before then.
“The people are demanding that their leaders make an imperfect system work. It has been made to work in the past and it can be made to work again. There is still time to enact legislation that will help to turn the economy around; there is still time to give effective support to the institutions that were put in place to tackle crime and corruption,” he said.
The High Representative was speaking at a forum organised by the United World College.
Click here for the full text of the High Representative’s speech.