According to data from the Central Election Commission, young people make up between 12 and 15 percent of the total number of candidates on the electoral lists. At the same time, the last few election cycles have seen a slight decline in the turnout of young voters.
Distrust in institutions, lack of perspective and corruption are among the reasons why young people show less and less interest in politics. Research by the Institute for Youth Development KULT showed that half of young people do not trust politicians.
According to KULT, a special problem is insufficient involvement of young people in the work of political parties.
“Very few involve them in substantive preparatory phases for election cycles or for strategic platforms, for example, political platforms.”
According to research, 70 percent of young people plan to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina after school. Among them is nineteen-year-old Lana Joldžić from Banja Luka.
“I plan to study further in Spain, I will finish here, and I plan to do my master’s degree in Spain and stay there.”
The young people interviewed cited mistrust in politicians, poor living conditions and lack of perspective as reasons.
The Student Parliament of the University of Banja Luka believes that it is necessary to enable young people to solve the housing issue and find employment in order to stay in the country. They also point out the benefits that students have in Republika Srpska, including free dormitories, subsidized meals and budget places.
Milica Pralica, president of the citizens’ association “Oštra nula”, says that young people are apathetic because they are disappointed with the political system.
“As young people, they somehow do not see enough opportunity, as if opportunities were not given to them. And if they are given the opportunity, it is expected that you will continue to carry out the policies of your old colleagues.”
Political analyst Tanja Topić believes that young people often cannot advance in public and political life without a membership card of the ruling political option.
“They can be excellent students, they can have an average of ten, but literally all doors are closed to them unless they carry a membership card of his political party.”
Nepotism, corruption, economic and political instability and the undervaluing of knowledge and diplomas are among the reasons why young people leave Bosnia and Herzegovina.
