(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #238 - Bosnia: Riots in direct democracy (fr, pt)

Since February, a wind of revolt breath on the Balkans and particularly in 
Bosnia-Herzegovina. Demonstrations and riots, but also the development of 
self-organization in popular assemblies. ---- February 5 bursts in Bosnia a popular 
movement, first in the mining town of Tuzla (North-East) and in most major cities, 
including Mostar and Sarajevo. This revolt main reasons for the poverty of a large part of 
the population and a strong corruption politician class. ---- In this country of 3.8 
million inhabitants, 30% and 40% of the population is unemployed and the average salary is 
420 euros. Social benefits barely exist, some people (over) living with 60 euros pension 
and there is no place in the labor market. Four out of ten jobs are concentrated in the 
public sector and many need to take to access the card party... Politician, Bosnia, is a 
lucrative business, with wages higher than the rest of the population practicing patronage 
at all costs.

Movement without a representative or hierarchy

It is in this context that the riots broke out. On 7 February, the Presidency building was 
burned in Sarajevo and other government buildings were stormed by protesters in cities 
across the country. The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton resigned. At the same time, 
popular assemblies have emerged, the Plenum. These operate on the principle of direct 
democracy in a movement without a representative or hierarchy and represent the protest 
Bosnian.

These daily meetings in Sarajevo and elsewhere can involve up to 1,000 people, the 
occupation of public space, and require inter alia a better distribution of wealth, 
improved living conditions and an overhaul of the political system.

Bosnia was one of the main victims of the war in Yugoslavia in the 1990s and did not have 
a strong tradition of social struggle since, apart from a few anti-fascist groups in 
stages and some communist groups in large cities.

Popular anger

Conflicts are more often related to problems of ethnic division between people from 
different backgrounds Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian (often related to religion).

What is different in this protest movement is speaking of concrete problems. Today, there 
are more riots but popular anger continues to express itself in the events and meetings. 
It is hoped that these opposition self-organized and spontaneous movements continue to 
appear throughout the region and elsewhere!

Solidarity with the Peoples struggles against the capitalist exploiters and state!

Vince (AL NCB)