Vinko Puljic, the Croat Cardinal and the Vrhbosanska Archdiocese Archbishop told Nova TV’s Ivana Brkic-Tomljenovic that he was a realist, concerning the Bosnian election. He also said that last year’s departure of 14,000 Croats from Bosnia is significant because Croats are the smallest nation in Bosnia.

“I am a realist. That means we have to fight for what we want because no one else will give it to us. Therefore, Croats must realize that they must exit the polls and cast their vote according to their personal convictions in order to truly realise their rights,” Puljic said.  

When asked if that was truly realistic, he added: “It is realistic if we stay together, if not, then it’s not realistic.”  

Cardinal Puljic also touched upon the departure of Croats from Bosnia saying that last year’s departure of 14,000 Croats from Bosnia is a significant number because Croats are the smallest nation in Bosnia.

“Every departure is worrying for us, but what is concerning to me is the lack any action on the prevention of these departures and on building the awareness and courage to stay in Bosnia and to deal with everyday challenges.”

According to Puljic, everyone is responsible for the departure of Croats from Bosnia.

“No one can be exempt from responsibility, starting from political structures all the way to the church.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of three main peoples which the State Constitution recognizes as “constituent peoples” and those are Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, With Bosniaks being the most numerous and Croats the least numerous constituent people.

According to the 2013 census, Bosnia had 3,531,159 citizens, of which 1,769,592 Bosniaks, 1,086,733 Serbs and 544,780 Croats.