The Five is a serious test for Čović, Sarajevo's self-destruction pushes HDZ to an easy win!

By: Rasim Belko

Five Croatian parties (HDZ 1990, HRS, HNP, HSS, and HDS) have finally woken up from a decades-long sleep. They announced a joint appearance in the 2026 elections and the signing of an agreement by December. At first glance, it might seem like just another meeting and another promise. But in essence, it could be a serious political earthquake, with an even more serious impact on the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Because, for the first time in over twenty years, HDZ BiH and Dragan Čović will not be alone in the field. They will have competition, and in their own backyard.

And that changes a lot. In fact, it signals the end of the monopoly that has kept BiH Croats trapped in the political orbit of one man.

Čović's HDZ has spent years building its power on the myth of "legitimate representation of Croats." This myth has been faithfully nurtured, consciously or unconsciously, by Sarajevo and Bosniak parties. Whenever they repeated the mantra "nothing can be done without HDZ," they were pushing BiH Croats into a political cage from which they could only emerge under the banner of Dragan Čović.

Thus, HDZ became the party, the state, and destiny. And all who tried otherwise were declared traitors.

Now, that myth is beginning to crumble. The Five, however diverse, have understood what is whispered in Mostar and has never wanted to be heard in Sarajevo. Čović does not represent Croats, but himself, and the story of "legitimacy" has become a mask for private interest, privileges, and political business in which the people serve only as an argument.

And just when something started to move, Sarajevo – as usual – falls asleep at the wheel. While the Five announce resistance to the monolith, a message comes from Sarajevo: "HDZ is an easy win in post-election combinations in 2026".

What self-destruction of political amateurism, wouldn't you agree. It is sometimes painful and disgusting to even think about Sarajevo's political immaturity, and the figures who venture into the game of political leaders from its streets further spice up that disgust.

Because, what kind of political NOOB must you be to, in the same week that a more serious opposition to Čović is finally emerging, you cement that Čović. This is not realism. It is the selling out of every possibility for change.

And the Five, with the H prefix, have shown they know differently, because they did not tie their agreement to the "capital city," but to the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How is it possible that political Sarajevo, after all the mistakes and betrayals, is already gifting Čović a seat at the table of power? How is it possible that no one learns from the experience of the Trojka, which in the name of "stability" entered into an alliance with Dodik and thereby signed its own downfall, as well as the blockade of the country.

We see the result of that "stability" every day. Dodik blocks, blackmails, threatens secession – and still holds the key to power. If Sarajevo repeats that mistake with Čović, it should never wonder why BiH is stagnating. Because the problem is not with Dodik and Čović, the problem is with those who constantly bring them back into the game.

This Five, if they keep their word, can be a turning point. They can show that Croats in BiH are not anyone's hostages. That they don't have to choose between obedience and disappearance. That among them, too, there are those who want BiH as a common home, not as a Herzegovinian pen.

To be clear, a difficult path lies ahead of them. Čović's apparatus, money, and media machine will strike with full force. They will be labeled, attacked, demonized. But if they endure, they will dismantle a system based on fear.

And Sarajevo, if nothing else, must treat them equally until the ballots show otherwise. Because every time someone from the city on the Miljacka says that "Čović is an easy win," this country becomes smaller, and an alternative to that clearly exists. And as long as HDZ and SNSD have a monopoly over their voters, BiH will be a hostage to their interests. And when someone emerges who breaks that monopoly, they are by nature an ally, not an enemy.

And finally, a little truth without makeup.

Sarajevo must stop looking for "easy wins." It must stop with politics where betrayal and pragmatism are the same. Because every new government that treats Čović and Dodik as partners, not as obstacles, participates in the dismantling of the state.

The Five among Croats may not be perfect, but they are the first serious crack in the system that is suffocating us. And that is why they should be given a chance.

Because if they don't succeed, then we have not failed because of Dodik and Čović. We have failed because we agreed to live forever on their terms.