The document summarizes the results of a poll of 1000 citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina on their preferences for government jurisdiction over various issues. It found that citizens strongly prefer state-level jurisdiction over issues like fighting crime and corruption, unemployment, health care, agriculture, and transportation. Support for jurisdiction at the entity and canton levels was clearly lower. The results show that citizens are generally dissatisfied with the current governmental structure and constitution. Having middle layers of government in control of services does not ensure effective delivery or accountability.

1. CITIZENS’ OPINIONS ON
STATE-LEVEL CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
in Bosnia and Herzegovina
20
QUESTIONS
2013
JULY
1000 CITIZENS
POPULAR PREFERENCES ON
GOVERNMENT JURISDICTION
Out of a SERIES OF ISSUES
SOCIAL WELFARE
POLICY
KEY
ISSUES
FIGHTING CRIME AND
CORRUPTION TAXATION
FIGHTING
UNEMPLOYMENTEDUCATION
HEALTH
AGRICULTURE
ECONOMY
TRANSPORT
SPORTS AND
CULTURE
RETIREMENT
FUNDS
ENERGY
SCIENCE
CITIZENS across BiH HAVE VERY SIMILAR OPINIONS on the following:
WHERE ARE
THE JOBS?
FIGHTING CRIME AND CORRUPTION
FIGHTING UNEMPLOYMENT
HEALTH
AGRICULTURE
TRANSPORT
STATE LEVEL ENTITY LEVEL
FBIH BOSNIAK MAJORITY FBIH CROAT MAJORITY RS SERB MAJORITY BRČKO DISTRICT
86.7%
2.9%
87.7%
4.6% 31.6%
63.3%
5.1%
94.9%
STATE LEVEL ENTITY LEVEL
FBIH BOSNIAK MAJORITY FBIH CROAT MAJORITY RS SERB MAJORITY BRČKO DISTRICT
71.4%
4.3%
64.6%
13.8% 41.8%
48.8%
15.2%
84.8%
FBIH BOSNIAK MAJORITY FBIH CROAT MAJORITY RS SERB MAJORITY BRČKO DISTRICT
66%
14.1%
59.6%
20% 43.6%
48.4%
45.1%
47.3%
STATE LEVEL ENTITY LEVEL
STATE LEVEL ENTITY LEVEL
STATE LEVEL ENTITY LEVEL
FBIH BOSNIAK MAJORITY FBIH CROAT MAJORITY RS SERB MAJORITY BRČKO DISTRICT
72.1%
10.4%
81.5%
6.2% 45.1%
49.7%
27.3%
65.1%
SUPPORT for ENTITY and CANTON LEVEL jurisdiction on these issues
is CLEARLY LOWER than STATE LEVEL support.
THE POLLING RESULTS SHOW
are generally DISSATISFIED with the current
STRUCTURE, SITUATION, and, therefore,
the CURRENT CONSTITUTION.
Having the middle layer of government
controlling these services does not ensure
effective service delivery or accountability.
CITIZENS
WHERE ARE
THE JOBS?
STATE LEVEL
MIDDLE LEVEL
(Entities and Cantons)
MUNICIPALITIES LEVEL
- Enjoys LOWEST TRUST and satisfaction
among citizens
- HIGHER TRUST among citizens
- But there are FEW COMPETENCIES and institutions
- CITIZENS are interested in having MORE
STATE-LEVEL COMPETENCIES to promote
better implementation
- HIGHER TRUST among citizens
- But FEW COMPETENCIES
- Very LIMITED DECISION-making power
- Most COMPETENCIES and most
MONEY fall under the authority of the
entities or the cantons
- Citizens see STATUS QUO DOES NOT
WORK for them
$
€
$ €
$ $ € € €$
FBIH BOSNIAK MAJORITY FBIH CROAT MAJORITY RS SERB MAJORITY BRČKO DISTRICT
77.9%
9.1%
83.1%
7.7% 37.9%
48.3%
14.9%
72.7%