My name is Boriša Falatar, I am a presidential candidate in Bosnia’s October 2018 elections.

I entered politics to fight toxic populism. To stand against fortress mentality and bullying demagogues that led my country to war, to social and economic meltdown, and mass emigration.

I was sixteen years old when my hometown became a warzone. I became a refugee, and my mother was killed. It all happened in just a few months, fueled by politics of anger and demonization of the other.

I am angered that similar far right demagoguery is spreading around the world. And I believe strongly that we should all join the fight. Because our values are under threat everywhere.

We fight for them in New Mexico, where families are being torn apart. We fight for them in Turkey, where press freedom is curtailed. We fight for them in Hungary, where universities are being shut down, and on the shores of the Mediterranean, where migrants are being held at sea.

We fight for them in Bosnia, where the same populists have been in power for over twenty years. As a result of their policies, the country is experiencing a decade-long stagnation, the highest youth unemployment rate in the world (55%), the worst business climate in Europe, and mass emigration. Over the past four years alone, 5% of the population has left Bosnia! In relative terms, it would be as if the whole population of the six states of New England (+upstate NY) left the USA in just four years.

It is time now to turn a new page, and offer a new kind of progressive politics. To liberate Bosnia from the grips of demagogues, and use the role of the presidency to promote sustainable growth, shared identity and liberal values across the Balkans region, and on the international scene.

---Meet Boriša---

Boriša Falatar survived the war as victim and refugee, but worked his way through adversity. He was a humanitarian worker who helped establish a communication link for thousands of Sarajevo citizens living under siege. He later went on to work for the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross for almost two decades. He won scholarships for graduate and postgraduate studies abroad, and graduated with Master degrees from the London School of Economics and Harvard University (Kennedy School of Government).

Boriša believes in the power of a cohesive Bosnia, united by a shared identity and shaped by its citizens. As a war survivor who lost his mother to a sniper bullet, Boriša is aware of ethnic divisions and painful history. But he remains convinced that only together we can face the future and overcome Bosnia’s most pressing challenges, such as EU integration process, economic development, inequality, migration, and constitutional reform.

Boriša Falatar is the official candidate of Naša Stranka, a social-liberal political party, member of the Alliance of Liberal Democrats of Europe. The party endorses a market economy and the expansion of civil and political rights, while also believing that the government in Bosnia has a legitimate role to address economic and social issues such as poverty, health care and education. During the campaign, Boriša Falatar and the party have championed an inclusive, forward-looking, and strongly pro-European agenda.

Having announced his candidacy in April 2018, Boriša went on a listening campaign – the first candidate to do so in Bosnia – travelling across the entire country, setting up the field volunteers organization, and meeting key economic and social figures and regular people from all walks of life. The listening campaign included visits to neighbouring Croatia and Serbia, a sign of the importance placed on improving Bosnia’s regional relations.

The listening campaign ended in July. Social media campaign is now under way, along with volunteer organization activities, in preparation for the October 7th elections.

The reaction of the public and the media has been overwhelmingly positive. Boriša Falatar featured in biggest TV and radio shows in the country. He has the fastest growing social media following and strongest engagement rate of any candidates. Boriša is running against career politicians – a former two-term president and a current president – but the positive reaction and engagement gives hope that an upset, and a change Bosnia needs so badly, is possible.

In order to achieve this, we need your help in spreading the word and supporting the campaign. Every little helps, so please share, like, support and contribute!

For more information, check our facebook page and website .

The funds will be used for volunteer organization activities in preparation for the October 7th elections. With your help, we will mobilize 100+ volunteers in six main regions around the country, and conduct door to door operations from mid-August until mid-Septemeber.