(Image source: The Sofia Echo)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Bosnians head to the polls Sunday amid concerns the country’s deep ethnic divisions could unravel the politically fragile state. This almost 15 years after an inter-ethnic civil war left some 100,000 dead.

An Al Jazeera reporter explains the country’s three main ethnic groups -- Muslims, Croats (CROW-ahts), and Serbs -- see the Bosnian state as an imposition by the west.

“People here see themselves as Serbs and not Bosnian, and Bosnia as an artificial state imposed on them by the international community. The nationalist message is popular here. Voters want less integration and more separation from Sarajevo.”

After the war, Bosnia became comprised of two entities: one run by Bosnian Serbs, and a Muslim-Croat Federation. The two have their own governments, but are linked by central institutions in the capital of Sarajevo. An article in the EUobserver says candidates’ nationalist rhetoric feels like déja vu all over again.

“Muslim Bosniak politicians continue to speak about the war, who did what and where they were, and the need for centralisation. Bosnian Serbs leaders speak about how to strengthen the ‘Serbian entity’ ... with a view to independence or rigorous autonomy. For their part, Bosnian Croats insist on equality with the other two ethnic groups in BiH...”

But a BBC reporter says there are a few glimmers of hope -- maybe. He highlights one candidate who’s bucking the trend.

“He’s a rare voice among Bosnian politicians -- non-nationalistic, fighting the ethnic division that still blights Bosnia today. ... But Nationalism wins votes here. The Bosnian Serb Prime Minister frequently threatens secession from Bosnia, and he’s well ahead in the polls.”

Still, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports voter turnout is expected to be low -- and the real concern isn’t ethnic division -- but young voter disenchantment.

“Funds for education are miserable -- really nothing. It shows that the political elite doesn’t care about young people, regardless of the party. So you can see what is a priority, and where this country is heading.”

The success of Bosnia’s elections Sunday are widely considered crucial to its membership in the European Union and NATO.