Schwarz-Schilling: Mostar did not follow Sarajevo, remained trapped under ethnic rule

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Former High Representative in BiH, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, is disappointed with what he saw in Mostar and the fact that, as he says, Croats and Bosniaks mostly voted for their ethnic groups, and he also did not like what happened at the constitutive session of the council.

In a commentary for Deutsche Welle, this former politician says that there were no elections in Mostar since 2008, and the SDA and HDZ were satisfied with the fact that elections did not interfere with their rule.

"The residents of Mostar had a great opportunity to change the situation after long 12 years, to free themselves, to vote for other, new people. We all hoped that what happened in the local elections in Sarajevo or Banja Luka would happen. But unfortunately, the citizens of Mostar did not really use these elections to enable change. Croats and Bosniaks mostly re-elected their ethnic groups and everything remained as it was," he said.

While the SDA and HDZ often emphasize that without them and their agreement, the elections in Mostar would not have happened at all, he mentions Irma Baralija as a person without whom they would not have happened at all.

"One should give one's vote to such future-oriented people, those who will work for the benefit of all, not just for themselves. Civic awareness in Mostar still does not seem to be sufficiently developed for what Sarajevo did to happen.

I also believe that the agreement between the HDZ and the SDA is not of much help in that regard and a good guide to a better future. But all that will come in time, I am convinced," says the German Christian Democratic politician.

But, while Baralija received the support of citizens for a council mandate, her fellow councilor from national parties, of course, did not. However, when it comes to Mostar, he allowed himself a bit of optimism.

"If the well-being of people were placed above narrow party interests, in the whole of BiH, not just in Mostar, a normal, beautiful life worthy of a human being would be lived. But that is built only by further development of democracy, civic awareness, continuous education, strengthening the rule of law. This will obviously take time. The preconditions for a change of government in Mostar are unfortunately still on shaky legs. However, in the long run, citizens will come to the same conclusion and take steps towards greater civic freedoms and a better life. But there is still no togetherness, and that is not the case only in Mostar. When the young generation comes to power and unburdened politicians come to leading positions, when people no longer vote according to the ethnic key, then a true, common life in peace becomes possible," concludes Schwarz-Schilling.

Mostar city councilors at their first session, in the race for mayor, eliminated Irma Baralija from the Bh. bloc after the first round, while they gave their confidence to Zlatko Guzin (Coalition for Mostar) and Mario Kordić (HDZ).