Newly elected member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Darijana Filipović, says she tried to use the days immediately following the election to thank everyone, return missed calls, answer messages, and call people she hadn’t managed to contact during the campaign; however, she is now analyzing the results and preparing to assume her responsible new role.
“During the campaign, I kept telling myself that I would take a few days off right after the election—something I still haven’t managed to do. Fortunately, the pace is a bit calmer now. We are working with the campaign team to analyze the campaign and the results, because after every campaign, we want to honestly assess what we did well and what could be improved. At the same time, I have already begun preparing for the work ahead. I am reading, talking to experts in foreign policy, European integration, diplomacy, and security, and thinking about how to organize the first few months of my term. People have placed their trust in me and entrusted me with a huge responsibility,” Filipović points out in an interview with Fena.
It is less well-known to the public that Darijana Filipović also served as the head of the HDZ BiH election campaign team. She says that, looking back, the details of that dual role she played during the election seem incredible to her now.
“In the evening, you are standing before several thousand people in a highly emotional atmosphere, yet half an hour before or after that, you are sitting in your car on a conference call, making decisions about schedules, materials, the digital campaign, or an event that needs to be organized the next day as part of campaigns across the country. Fortunately, I was surrounded by excellent people who demonstrated both creativity and a strong work ethic.” “For me, the hardest part was running a campaign ‘for myself’ for the first time. That was something I wasn’t used to. This campaign for HDZ BiH was a blend of two worlds. We relied on what has been our organization’s strength for decades—above all, the people on the ground, the city and municipal committees, conversations in every locality, and large rallies spanning from Posavina and Central Bosnia to Herzegovina. Yet, at the same time, we tried to communicate differently, introduce new topics, and make much more serious use of digital platforms,” says the newly elected member of the state presidency.
However, she points out that what she will remember most is neither the posters nor the social media posts. She will remember the people—the hugs, conversations, criticisms, and questions—and all those who waited after a rally just to share a single sentence.
“That was a real campaign. And the result gives us every right to say that people recognized that blend of experience and something new. We entered the campaign with the slogan ‘For What Matters.’ Ultimately, the voters gave us the opportunity to show that we also know how to work for what matters,” adds Filipović.
Assessing the election campaign in BiH, she notes that almost all political actors attempted to introduce something new in one way or another—whether through content, communication style, or new faces—which she considers a positive development.
“For me, the best part of any campaign is the moment politics moves out of the TV studio and among the people. That is where they quickly explain what truly matters to them. People don’t ask you every day who said what to whom; they ask about jobs, prices, healthcare, schools, and their children—and whether those children will see a future here in ten years. There was negativity and personal attacks, certainly, but voters clearly showed they do not support that, which bodes well for the future. Overall, I believe voters sent a message in this election that they want less politics of fear and more politics of responsibility. Ultimately, the election result is the most honest assessment of any campaign. But a good campaign isn’t just one where you win the election; it’s one where you gain a better understanding of the people you are meant to represent. I gained that experience, and I am grateful for it,” says Filipović.
Regarding the use of new technologies at polling stations, she believes Bosnia and Herzegovina passed the test without major delays and with very rapid results reporting.
“Both in the period leading up to the election and during the campaign itself, I consistently stated my support for transparency in the electoral process and for fair elections. When doubts arose regarding the technical execution of the voting process, I was very careful to ensure my statements did not discourage voters.” At the very beginning, there was some confusion among both polling station committees and voters, as the procedure at the polling station differed significantly from previous elections. It was a change for all of us, and naturally, many were apprehensive about how the implementation of new electoral technologies would unfold. After the election, I would like to congratulate all members of the polling station committees and everyone involved in organizing the election. Everything went well. Finally, it is highly beneficial that the long-standing myth—perpetuated for years by unsuccessful politicians and certain biased analysts—claiming that elections in BiH are being stolen has finally been dispelled. There were certainly irregularities, but looking at the results, it is clear who remains in a similar relative position to before and who has disappeared from the scene; thus, the will of the voters is evident. The new electoral technologies have now confirmed this, and BiH has arguably conducted the most technically complex and transparent election process in Europe, according to Filipović.
When asked how she envisions her work in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina over the next four years, the newly elected member representing the Croat people emphasizes that the voters have already taken the first step.
The Croat people, she notes, have clearly stated whom they want as their representative; she views this as a major victory, but even more so as a great responsibility. She is now awaiting official confirmation of the results and preparing for the third step: the work itself.
“I want the Presidency of BiH, over the next four years, to cease being an institution that people primarily associate with divisions, blockades, and a ‘two-against-one’ dynamic. I would like it to become an example of what Bosnia and Herzegovina can be. Not a country where we are all the same—because we are not, and never will be—but a country where we all have equal worth. I have congratulated Denis Bećirović and Željka Cvijanović. We have spoken. We will hold different views; that is normal. However, we do not need to see eye-to-eye on every issue to agree that peace, stability, the European path, functional institutions, and a better life for the people are shared interests. The Presidency holds significant constitutional powers—specifically regarding foreign policy, international representation, and diplomacy—and I want these powers used to open doors for this country, not to create new problems. Following these elections, we have the opportunity to permanently ensure equality for Croats without unnecessary tensions, yet this is merely the beginning of the journey toward a successful and stable Bosnia and Herzegovina.” “That is why, throughout this term, I will be guided by the principles with which we entered the campaign—fighting for what matters—and I believe we will make positive strides,” concludes Darijana Filipović in an interview with Fena.
