Many in Bosnia doubt elections will tackle dysfunctional economy

An aerial view shows Bosnia's capital Sarajevo, September 25, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

ZEPCE, Bosnia (Reuters) - With nationalist rhetoric dominating the campaign for Bosnia's Oct. 2 election, many doubt the vote will usher in leaders who would focus on reforms to tackle a dysfunctional economy and unblock the country's path to European Union membership.

Since the 2018 election, progress towards liberalising the economy and improving rule of law has ground to a halt while ruling Serb, Croat and Bosniak parties trade threats with an intensity unseen since Bosnia's devastating 1990s war.