Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Quest for Change

A resolution regarding the genocide in Srebrenica will come before the United Nations General Assembly in May. Platform for Progress president, Mirsad Hadźikadić, says the resolution has many sponsors and there is an ongoing flurry of activity in preparation for the discussion of the resolution. Hadźikadić, says the news of the resolution is causing a lot of turmoil in Serbia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The lengthy process of joining the European Union has begun in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The president of the Platform for Progress, Mirsad Hadźikadić, says the preliminary negotiations, as they are called, have begun to start of process of what needs to be done in order to be accepted. A process that he says could take years.

As the messaging from the Platform for Progress president, Mirsad Hadźikadić continues to take on a much more direct and critical tone, the exposure from the national media is on the upswing. In the last ten days, Hadzikadić has again been interviewed on national TV. When we recently spoke, he shared his insights as to why the newfound interest by the media, after struggling so long to be taken seriously.

Over the past several weeks the Platform for Progress has been receiving much more national media coverage than in the past. A welcome sign as the Platform has undergone some substantial restructuring since the very poor showing during the 2022 general election. I recently spoke with Platform president, Mirsad Hadźikadić, about the reasoning behind the new interest by the media and the upcoming local elections this Fall.

The past week marked visits from diplomats from the Europen Union and NATO, as well as the Assistant Secretary of State of Europe and Eurasian Affairs, Jame O’Brien. The president of the Platform for Progress, Mirsad Hadźikadić, said he was pleasantly surprised by the comments of O’Brien, as he was very direct and forthcoming with his assessment of the ongoing situation in the country.

The Platform for Progress is involved with ongoing discussion regarding the formation of a coalition in Republika Srpska. The president of the Platform, Mirsad Hadźikadić, says forming a coalition with like minded individuals and other parties, will help to strengthen the presence of the Platform there. We recently spoke about the process, and the pros and cons of such an endeavor.

The president of the Platform for Progress, Mirsad Hadźikadić, recently shared, “just when you think things have gotten as bad and they can, they continue to get worse.” Such is the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina as the country prepares for the local election in October of this year. During our recent conversation, Hadźikadić, expressed dismay and concern , as the search for answers and solutions becomes more difficult each passing day.

The candidates have been chosen and elections have been scheduled to replace members of the Platform For Progress’ Presidential Governing Board who are stepping down for personal reason. This, as the Platform is ramping up its focus on the upcoming local elections in October of this year. I recently spoke with the president of the Platform, Mirsad Hadžikadić, about the soon to be elected governing board members, and the state of the Platform as we head into the new year.

With the local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina less than one year away, the Platform for Progress continues to evaluate and make internal changes to strengthen its position in preparation for the election. Platform president, Mirsad Hadžikadić, said this has include organizing a new congress for the party. When we recently spoke, Hadžikadić explained the reasoning behind the move.

On November 18, 2023, the Platform for Progress celebrated it’s 5th anniversary. It was a time to reflect, celebrate, and look to the future. The president of the Platform, Mirsad Hadžikadić, recently spoke with me about the day, his message to the gathering, and his personal reflections of what the day means to him.

November 18th marked the fifth anniversary of the formation of the platform for progress. During a recent conversation with the president of the Platform, Mirsad Hadžikadić, he shared with me his thoughts about what has been accomplished over the past five years and what needs to be done moving forward, to make the Platform a viable alternative in future elections.

On November 18, 2018, the Platform for Progress was officially formed. During a recent conversation, the president of the Platform, Mirsad Hadžikadić, spoke about the challenges that still lie ahead as the organization continues the rebuilding process in preparations for the upcoming local elections in 2024.

The Platform for Progress continues its ongoing efforts to become stronger, as it prepares for the local elections which are just one year away. In my recent conversation with the president of the Platform, Mirsad Hadžikadić, he spoke of the ongoing search for the right people to lead the local organizations that have been established throughout the country. As he emphasized, finding that right fit of individuals, who are committed to the goals and vision of the Platform, is crucial for the success of the party.

The president of the Platform for Progress, Mirsad Hadžikadić, has asked the members of the Platform’s Presidential Governing Board to reevaluate the state of the party. In doing so he has asked each to come up with one specific goal that he or she would like to accomplish by the end of the year. In doing so Hadžikadić hopes to reenergize the board and the party as they are now one year away from the local elections.

“Just when you thought things could not get any worse, they have.” Such are the words of the president of the Platform for Progress, Mirsad Hadžikadić as he described the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. From the ruling coalition party and its own internal discord to the international community encouraging the nationalist parties privatize nationally run corporations such as public utilities. A very troubling scenario to say the least in the eyes of Hadžikadić.

The Platform for Progress continues to make positive strides in establishing the party in Tuzla. Platform president, Mirsad Hadžkadić, says they now have a very good person in the leadership position there, who is very proactive and taken charge of the organizational efforts there. In the meantime the Platform is faced with a series decisions with regard to the upcoming recall election involving the current mayor of Old Town Sarajevo. Should the party declare a candidate for the recall election when in fact the location elections are just a year away?

As the political discord and divisiveness continues to mount in Bosnia and Herzegovina there is growing concern around the future of the country. The president of the Platform for Progress, Mirsad Hadžikadić, recently spoke with me about his growing concerns about the state of the country and the unfortunate reality of where it seems headed.

In yet another attempt to bring about a show of unity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Platform for Progress recently opened an office in Banja Luka, which is located in Republika Srpska. Located in the northeastern part of the country, Republika Srpska, and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina are the two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina. I recently spoke with the president of the Platform, Mirsad Hadžkadić, about the significance of opening the office in Republika of Srpska, even though the leadership there is making bold efforts to secede from the country. Hadžikadić also addressed the ongoing strife within the country that continues to rear its ugly head.

2023 marked the fifth time that the president of the Platform for Progress, Mirsad Hadžikadić, has participated in the annual March of Peace. A three day event in which participants from around the world gather and march in honor of those who were massacred during the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. Over the course of those three days they traverses the same rugged mountainous trails where over 8,000 men and boys were slaughtered trying to escape the Serbian troops. During our recent conversation, Hadžikadić, said this years march touched his heart and psyche more than any other.

As the process of reorganizing the Platform for Progress continues, the president, Mirsad Hadžikazdić, took a moment to reflect on the last few months. During our recent conversation, he spoke about what has and has not been working, and what needs to be done to keep on track as sites are now set on the local elections in 2024.