Bosnia’s flawed elections may force West to intervene

Significance

CEC sources said the problem went beyond the Serb-dominated RS entity and ballots must be recounted from more than one in six of the polling stations across Bosnia. The disorderly conduct of local election committees, which have fallen under political parties’ control, has left results unclear or disputed.

Impacts

• Bosnia’s parties are showing no signs of any ability or willingness to seek compromises.
• The election aftermath gives Dodik another opportunity to threaten an RS bid for independence.
• Dodik’s replacement of Turkovic with his 'own' foreign minister would shift policy more towards Russia and China.