Bosnian crisis may reach new phase without foreign aid

Significance

This completes the process of constituting the various legislatures in Bosnia after the elections in October. Delays and blockages -- due to procedural issues, political quarrels and politicians making extreme demands and driving hard bargains -- have had a knock-on effect on government formation. Such delays risk blocking a new EU initiative for the troubled country at its very outset.

Impacts

• The next stage -- government formation -- could take weeks or even months, time that Bosnia does not have.
• The lack of functioning governments and EU support risks deepening the economic and social crisis.
• The further radicalisation of Bosniak, Croat and Serb nationalist positions could increase security risks.