Nationalist divisions dim hopes for change after Bosnia's election

FILE PHOTO: Bosnia's member of tripartite presidency Milorad Dodik waves to people during parade celebrations to mark their autonomous Serb Republic's national holiday, in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 9, 2022. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

ZENICA/GRADISKA, Bosnia (Reuters) - Divisive nationalism has dominated campaigning for Bosnia's presidential and parliamentary elections on Oct. 2, suggesting reformists keen to modernise a dysfunctional economy and improve rule of law have scant chance of winning.

Bosnia has been going through its gravest political crisis since its 1990s war with nationalist Serb leader Milorad Dodik taking concrete moves towards secession of the autonomous Serb Republic (RS) from the Balkan state, his long-stated goal.