National pride has been overused to manipulate voters for the past 25 years

Bh. novinska agencija Patria fully conveys a new commentary posted on the US Embassy in BiH blog by Chargé d'Affaires Nicholas M. Hill. 

- During the election campaign, I used the opportunity to encourage voters in BiH to remain strictly focused on issues and to ignore candidates who offer nothing but pride and solidarity. For many people, ethnic or national pride is vital to their personal identity, but it doesn't put food on the table, and it has been overused for the past 25 years to manipulate voters.

What I hear and what polls confirm is that citizens across the country are most concerned about unemployment and the inability to support their families. BiH ranks second in Europe in terms of unemployment rate, an incredible 28 percent. This percentage doubles when we talk about youth unemployment. Young people, with an unemployment rate of 59 percent, make BiH the worst place on the continent for a young person seeking a job. Why? Partly because the World Bank has ranked this country among those in Europe where it is most difficult to do business.

The statistics are clear – voters in this country need jobs – for themselves, for their children and grandchildren. They want a salary that will allow them a decent standard of living. They want to know that the money they allocate to government officials will directly contribute to their personal well-being and that of their families, now and in the future. Now is the time to ask candidates what they plan to do to make this a reality.

Employers here face enormous challenges. Business start-up laws are complicated, business regulations are unclear, and the corruption that ordinary businessmen face can be unbearable. Add to that limited protection of property rights, inefficient government institutions, and underinvestment in infrastructure on which companies' operations depend. Representatives of local companies will complain that it is often too complicated to complete what should be routine activities, such as obtaining a building permit or connecting to electricity, because those who seek bribes often hinder progress. The business climate has not significantly improved, at least not enough to remove these obstacles.

To attract investment, this country already has a capable, competitive workforce, which, if the business climate were not so poor, would be highly sought after, especially considering the fact that you are so close to the world's richest market. But, above all, the rule of law must be respected, and there must be a functional and efficient judicial system. A non-functional judicial system in BiH means that it takes several years to process individual cases. Investors stay away from countries where contracts cannot be honored and where disputes are not resolved within a reasonable time. Reforms are necessary to resolve cases faster, to adopt clearer rules for doing business, and to protect both employers and those who work for them.

Voters understand that changes are needed to make it easier to start a business and employ more people. The goal is clear: with a better business climate and reduced corruption, Bosnian-Herzegovinian visionaries will emerge and achieve their dreams of owning and developing their own businesses. Innovative, creative, ambitious people should not have to struggle at home or seek opportunities in other countries. Too many talented citizens have had to make the difficult decision to leave in order to support their families, and the country needs them to return.

In just under two weeks, you will go to the polls. To be ready to cast your vote based on facts, not mere fear, I urge you to stay focused on key issues in BiH, such as the economy. Engage in heated discussions, ask tough questions, and promote legitimate discussions about your personal priorities – such as your family's financial security. Ask your political parties how they intend to improve the economy, and what they have done so far to make this country prosperous, as it can and should be. Ask yourselves what they will do after the elections to unleash the potential of this country and whether their election promises can be trusted. Reject empty promises by demanding accountability from leaders before, during, and after the elections.