SARAJEVO: Two parties in Bosnia’s ruling coalition yesterday called for early polls to defuse mounting anger over corruption and unemployment that has sparked violence not seen since the 1992-1995 war.
The move came as 1,000 people gathered in front of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency building in downtown Sarajevo, demanding the resignation of rulers they blame for their economic woes.
The Social Democratic Party said in a statement it was necessary “to stop the violence, restore security for citizens and urgently organise early elections.”
Bakir Izetbegovic, one of the nation’s three presidents and leader of the Party of Democratic Action, joined the call for polls to take place before the scheduled October date.
“I believe that people want a change of power. I believe that within three months we should offer citizens a chance to choose who they trust, because it’s obvious that this isn’t working anymore,” he told a local television.
Protesters took to the streets for the fifth day running yesterday but the gatherings were peaceful. In Sarajevo, the protesters blamed their leadership for grinding poverty and demanded change across the board. AFP
