Though Mirsad Hadzikadic’s message of hope and change for Bosnia and Herzegovina during the recent presidential election was embraced by many, as reflected by his unprecedented results on October 7, there remains a prevailing sense of uncertainty across the country.Some reports have gone as far as to paint a picture of doom and gloom.I had an opportunity to speak with Mirsad in his University of North Carolina at Charlotte office, while back in the states for a brief visit.We talked about the current climate and the challenges it presents for he and the movement going forward.
Postizborna razmišljanja i izazovi koji stoje pred pokretom Platforma za progres
Mada su poruku Mirsada Hadžikadića o nadi i promjenama za Bosnu i Hercegovinu tokom nedavnih predsjedničkih izbora mnogi prihvatili s entuzijazmom, što su njegovi rezultati bez presedana ostvareni 7. oktobra i pokazali, u cijeloj državi i dalje preovladava osjećaj neizvjesnosti. Neki izvještaji čak govore da je stanje turobno i depresivno. Imao sam priliku da razgovaram s Mirsadom u njegovoj kancelariji na Univerzitetu Sjeverne Karoline u Charlotteu, za vrijeme njegovog kratkog boravka u SAD-u. Razgovarali smo o trenutnoj klimi i izazovima koji stoje pred njim i Pokretom.
Statehood Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a national holiday celebrated on November 25 of each year.It was on this day in 1943 that the Anti-Fascist Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ZAVNOBiH) adopted a resolution declaring Bosnia and Herzegovina an equal community of Serbs, Muslims and Croats.The resolution was adopted when Yugoslavia was occupied and divided between Germany, Italy, Hungary and Bulgaria.Mirsad Hadzikadic and his Platform For Progress team felt it appropriate on this day to officially announce the formation of the movement.However the planned event is much more than just an announcement.Mirsad and I spoke about its significance not only for the movement, but the country as a whole moving forward.
Nastavljaju se planovi za zvaničnu najavu pokreta Platforma za progres
Dan državnosti u Bosni i Hercegovini je državni praznik koji se obilježava 25. novembra svake godine. Na taj datum 1943. godine Zemaljsko antifašističko vijeće narodnog oslobođenja Bosne i Hercegovine (ZAVNOBiH) usvojilo je rezoluciju kojom je Bosna i Hercegovina proglašena ravnopravnom zajednicom Srba, Muslimana i Hrvata. Rezolucija je usvojena kada je Jugoslavija bila okupirana i podijeljena između Njemačke, Italije, Mađarske i Bugarske. Mirsad Hadžikadić i Platforma za progres smatrali su da je prikladno da upravo na ovaj datum zvanično najave formiranje pokreta. Međutim, planirani događaj je mnogo više od najave. Mirsad i ja razgovarali smo o njegovom značaju ne samo za napredak pokreta nego i cijele države.
For Mirsad Hadzikadic and his campaign team the future is now.With the formation of the Platform for Progress movement in place, all eyes are focused on preparations for the Constitutional Assembly and all of the intricate details that entails. His campaign is also finalizing preparations for the official announcement of the movement, November 25, Statehood Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Mirsad and I spoke of this very exciting and yet challenging time as they continue to plant the seeds of democracy.
Temelji demokratije u Bosni i Hercegovini
Za Mirsada Hadžikadića i tim koji realizuje njegovu kampanju budućnost se dešava upravo sad. Nakon osnivanja pokreta Platforma za progres, sva pažnja je trenutno usmjerena na pripreme za Osnivačku skupštinu i brojne pojedinosti koje se odnose na tu sjednicu. Pored toga, njegova kampanja obuhvata i finalizaciju priprema za javno predstavljanje pokreta, koje je predviđeno za 25. novembar, Dan državnosti u Bosni i Hercegovini. Mirsad i ja smo razgovarali o ovom izuzetno uzbudljivom, ali i izazovnom trenutku, odnosno o njihovim aktivnostima na uspostavljanju demokratije.
The Platform for Progress movement has been established. An all encompassing platform has been written.Who then, moving forward, will be the candidates who have passionately embraced the vision of hope and change for Bosnia and Herzegovina, whichMirsad Hadzikadic brought to the forefront during the recent presidential election?I spoke with Mirsad about this arduous but at the same time exciting process; the vetting and identifying those best qualified to represent the movement in the 2020 local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ko će biti najbolji kandidati za lokalne izbore 2020. godine u Bosni i Hercegovini?
Osnovan je pokret Platforma za progres. Napisana je sveobuhvatna platforma. Ko će onda nadalje biti kandidati koji su strastveno prigrlili viziju nade i promjene za Bosnu i Hercegovinu koju je Mirsad Hadžikadić doveo u prvi plan tokom nedavnih predsjedničkih izbora? Razgovarao sam s Mirsadom o ovom teškom ali istovremeno uzbudljivom procesu: provjeri i identifikaciji najkvalifikovanijih da predstavljaju pokret na lokalnim izborima 2020. godine u Bosni i Hercegovini.
In less than a month following Mirsad Hadzikadic’s historic and unprecedented results in the October 7, 2018, Bosnian presidential election, the work has already begun as his team looks ahead to the local elections in 2020 and of course the next presidential election in 2022.With the party or movement, as Mirsad prefers to call it already established, and an all-encompassing platform written, it is now time to take these newly formed ideas of transformation for Bosnia and Herzegovina and put them into action for all to see. Mirsad and I recently had an opportunity to discuss the obvious challenges that lie ahead but also the excitement that he and others share as they embark upon this historic journey of change in his native land.
Mirsad Hadžikadić i njegov tim Platforma za progres siju sjeme promjene
Za manje od mjesec dana nakon historijskih i neviđenih rezultata Mirsada Hadžikadića na bosanskim predsjedničkim izborima 7. oktobra 2018. godine, posao je već počeo jer se njegov tim nada lokalnim izborima 2020. godine i naravno sljedećim predsjedničkim izborima 2022. godine. Pošto je stranka, odnosno pokret, kako to Mirsad radije naziva već uspostavljena, i napisana jedna sveobuhvatna platforma, sad je vrijeme da se ove novoformirane ideje o preobražaju Bosne i Hercegovine provedu u djelo kako bi svi vidjeli. Mirsad i ja smo nedavno imali priliku razgovarati o očiglednim izazovima koji predstoje, ali i o uzbuđenju koje on i ostali dijele dok se upuštaju u to historijsko putovanje promjena u rodnoj zemlji.
In May of 2018 Mirsad was a virtual unknown in the political spectrum in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Here was a man with a vision of change and hope for his homeland, running as an independent candidate for president, just starting to assemble a team around him, and a campaign that was totally underfunded.However the winds of change have blown his direction over the past few months as Mirsad is a relatively unknown no longer.A historic and unprecedented showing in the October 7 presidential election has become the catalyst, the spark, which has truly ignited his movement for change.No, he did not win in his bid for a seat on the presidential council, but what has happened in the ensuing days is no less remarkable.
Postizborni komentari o predsjedničkoj kampanji Mirsada Hadžikadića dostigli su vrhunac u Bosni i Hercegovini!
U maju 2018. godine, Mirsad je bio skoro nepoznato lice na političkoj sceni u Bosni i Hercegovini. On je bio čovjek s vizijom o promjeni i nadi za zemlju u kojoj je rođen, koji se kandidovao za predsjednika kao nezavisni kandidat, i koji je tek počinjao da okuplja tim ljudi oko sebe, a sredstva koja je imao na raspolaganju za kampanju bila su u velikoj mjeri ograničena. Međutim, vjetrovi promjene su zaduvali u njegovom smjeru u proteklih nekoliko mjeseci, i Mirsad više nije relativno nepoznato lice. Njegovo istorijsko pojavljivanje bez presedana na predsjedničkim izborima održanim 7. oktobra postalo je katalizator, odnosno iskra koja je uistinu pokrenula njegov pokret za promjene. Ne, on nije pobijedio na izborima za poziciju u predsjedništvu, ali ono što se desilo u danima koji su uslijedili nije ništa manji poduhvat.
The electorate of Bosnia and Herzegovina has spoken, and Mirsad Hadzikadic was not elected to be the next Bosniak representative on the three-member presidential council.Of the six candidates who were running, Mirsad, an independent, finished fourth behind the well established and well-funded candidates of various national parties.In Sarajevo, though he finished a strong third, outpolling one of the heavily favored candidates from a national party.When all of the absentee ballots are finally counted it is expected that Mirsad will have received over 50,000 votes.This from a man who was a relatively unknown back in May, running a campaign that was totally underfunded compared to the competition and piecing together a campaign team one day at a time.However by the latter part of August, the little train that could started gaining momentum as the “spark” of change finally ignited within a core group of supporters.Mirsad, his wife Mirzeta and I met in Old Sarajevo on this day after the election.We sat beneath a canopy at an outdoor restaurant as a slight drizzle tapped out a tune above us.We spoke about the results and what lies ahead.
Za Mirsada Hadžikadića pobjeda ne znači nužno da ste sljedeći predsjednik Bosne i Hercegovine
Biračko tijelo Bosne i Hercegovine je progovorilo i Mirsad Hadžikadić nije izabran da bude sljedeći bošnjački predstavnik u tročlanom Predsjedništvu. Od šest kandidata koji su se kandidovali, Mirsad kao nezavisni kandidat je završio na četvrtom mjestu iza dobro uspostavljenih i dobro financiranih kandidata raznih nacionalnih stranaka. Međutim, u Sarajevu je završio na jakom trećem mjestu, osvojivši veći broj glasova od jednog od favoriziranih kandidata iz jedne nacionalne stranke. Kada se u konačnici zbroje svi glasovi u odsustvu, očekuje se da će Mirsad dobiti više od 50.000 glasova. To je čovek koji je u maju bio relativno nepoznat, vodio je kampanju koja je bila totalno nedovoljno financirana u odnosu na konkurenciju i sastavio tim za kampanju korak po korak. Međutim, pred kraj avgusta, mali voz je počeo uzimati zamah jer se „iskra“ promene konačno zapalila u ključnoj grupi pristalica. Mirsad, njegova supruga Mirzeta i ja sastali smo se u Starom gradu u Sarajevu dan nakon izbora. Sjeli smo ispod tende u restoranu na otvorenom, dok je kišica rominjala iznad nas. Razgovarali smo o rezultatima izbora i onome što nas čeka.
It was another beautiful sunny Fall morning in Sarajevo.As I walked through Old Sarajevo en route to the heart of the city, I couldn’t help but observe more closely the melting pot of people, the storied histories, old and new, of the structures lining the walkway and the surrounding mountains with all of their beauty in the morning sun. A time for reflection of what a historic day this might be for the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina.I met Mirsad and his wife Mirzeta at our traditional spot of just two days near the Eternal Flame, the memorial for citizens and military members who lost their lives during WWII.We casually made our way two a very narrow side street, with the occasional stop to greet supports, and made our way to the entrance of a building. It was here that here the two of them and citizens from across Sarajevo would cast their ballots.As we entered it was dark and somewhat mysterious and uninviting.We slowly made our way to the top of a short flight stairs and then the wait began.Only two people at a time were allowed into the area where individuals would fill out their paper ballots and submit their votes.After some 30 minutes or so the two of them were allowed into the room behind closed doors.Mirsad and Mirzeta would see his name atop the list of the six presidential candidates.After another ten minutes or so the two of them came out together.We made our way down the darkened flight of stairs and out into the morning sun.A sense of relief could be seen on both of their faces.After a short TV interview we again casually strolled the pedestrian walkway from the heart of the city to Old Sarajevo, along with a film crew from Germany documenting Mirsad’s day.We couldn’t walk more than twenty yards at a time without Mirsad being stopped for a handshake and wish of good luck.Eventually we stopped at an outdoor cafe in front of a beautiful historic Catholic Church.It was here that I had an opportunity to speak with the two of them and get their first impressions of what had just transpired.
Izborni dan u Bosni i Hercegovini: Mirsad Hadžikadić čeka ishod svoje kandidature za člana predsjedništva
Bilo je to još jedno divno sunčano jesenje jutro u Sarajevu. Šetajući kroz sarajevski Stari grad ka centru grada, nisam mogao da jasno ne primijetim užurbanu gomilu ljudi, opjevanu negdašnju i sadašnju istoriju građevina uz pješačku stazu i okolne planine koje su se hvalisale svojom ljepotom okupane jutarnjim suncem. Trenutak za razmišljanje o tome kako bi ovaj dan mogao da ima istorijski značaj za državu Bosnu i Hercegovinu. S Mirsadom i njegovom suprugom Mirzetom sam se našao na mjestu gdje se nalazimo po tradiciji dugoj čitava dva dana, u blizini Vječne vatre, spomenika za građane i vojnike koji su izgubili živote tokom Drugog svjetskog rata. Lagano smo se prošetali do jedne veoma uske sporedne ulice, zastajkujući tu i tamo kako bismo pozdravili ljude koji su iskazivali podršku, nakon čega smo stigli do ulaza u jednu zgradu. Na tom mjestu će njih dvoje zajedno s brojnim Sarajlijama popuniti svoje glasačke listiće. Dok smo ulazili, zgrada je djelovala mračno, pomalo zagonetno i neprivlačno. Polako smo stigli do vrha kratkog stepeništa, a onda je uslijedilo čekanje. Samo dvoje ljudi je istovremeno moglo da uđe u prostoriju u kojoj su glasači popunjavali glasačke listiće i odlagali ih u glasačku kutiju. Nakon tridesetak minuta, njih dvoje su ušli u prostoriju iza zatvorenih vrata. Mirsad i Mirzeta su vidjeli njegovo ime na vrhu liste sa imenima šest predsjedničkih kandidata. Nakon desetak minuta, njih dvoje su zajedno izašli. Sišli smo niz ono mračno stepenište i izašli na jutarnje sunce. Na njihovim licima moglo se primijetiti olakšanje. Nakon kratkog televizijskog intervjua, ponovo smo šetali pješačkom stazom iz pravca centra grada ka Starom gradu, zajedno s njemačkom filmskom ekipom koja je snimala Mirsadov dan. Svakih dvadesetak koraka neko bi nas zaustavio kako bi se rukovao s Mirsadom i poželio mu sreću. Na kraju smo se zaustavili u bašti jednog kafića ispred predivne stare katoličke crkve. Tu sam imao priliku da porazgovaram s njima i da čujem njihove prve utiske o onom što je upravo minulo.
All of the strategizing, grueling hours, sleepless nights and countless town hall meetings and rallies across Bosnia and Herzegovina have come to an end. It is now up to the electorate to determine if they believe in Mirsad’s message of change and that together can they can be the catalyst of a new Bosnia and Herzegovina.They will determine if Mirsad should be the next Bosniak representative on the Bosnian and Herzegovinian presidential council.On this Saturday morning, the day before the election, I walked the streets of Sarajevo with MIrsad, his wife Mirzeta and members of his campaign team.It was a beautiful fall morning, the sun peeking its head out from the clouds and burning off the last hints of morning fog.It’s not like it was just a few short months ago, Mirsad a relatively unknown, embarking on perhaps the biggest challenge of his life.On this day it was obvious that Mirsad was no longer an unknown.He was stopped countless times by those who wanted to shake his hand or have their picture taken with him.A shoe shiner crouched to his knees along the walkway looked up, recognized the presidential candidate, and said, “you have to have clean shoes.” Mirsad took a look and then obliged.A couple from Germany and a friend of theirs from Hungary had flown in and made arrangements to meet with him. They were there because they wanted to vote in person.Some walked by taking a second look. Yes, they knew who it was.Or the couple who looked our direction and mouthed the words, “that’s Mirsad Hadzikadic.”He and I took pause for a few moments at a beautiful outdoor restaurant in the heart of the city.I asked him to share his reflections about his final address to the nation on national TV Friday night.
Posljednje obraćanje Mirsada Hadžikadića na državnoj televiziji prije glasanja na dan izbora
Svo strateško promišljanje, iscrpljujući sati, neprospavane noći i bezbrojne javne tribine i skupovi širom Bosne i Hercegovine su okončani. Sad je na biračkom tijelu da utvrdi vjeruju li u Mirsadovu poruku promjene te da zajedno mogu biti katalizatori nove Bosne i Hercegovine. Oni će odrediti treba li Mirsad biti sljedeći bošnjački predstavnik u Predsjedništvu Bosne i Hercegovine. U subotu ujutro, dan pred izbore, prošetao sam ulicama Sarajeva sa Mirsadom, njegovom suprugom Mirzetom i članovima njegovog tima za kampanju. Bilo je prekrasno jesenje jutro, sunce je izvirivalo iza oblaka rastjerujući posljednje nagovještaje jutarnje magle. Ne djeluje kao da je prošlo tek nekoliko mjeseci od kad je Mirsad bio relativno nepoznat i upustio se u možda najveći izazov svog života. Tog dana je bilo očito da Mirsad više nije nepoznanica. Nebrojeno puta su ga zaustavljali prolaznici koji su željeli da se rukuju i fotografišu s njim. Čistač cipela koji je klečao na ivici ulice podigao je pogled, prepoznao predsjedničkog kandidata i rekao: „Morate imati čiste cipele.“ Mirsad je pogledao i pustio da mu očisti cipele do sjaja. Jedan par iz Njemačke i njihov prijatelj iz Mađarske doletjeli su i ugovorili sastanak s njim. Došli su jer su željeli lično da glasaju. Neki prolaznici bi bacili i drugi pogled na Mirsada. Da, znali su ko je to. Jedan bračni par je pogledao u našem smjeru i rekao: „To je Mirsad Hadžikadić.“ On i ja smo odmorili u predivnom restoranu na otvorenom u srcu grada. Zamolio sam ga da podijeli svoja razmišljanja o posljednjem obraćanju naciji na državnoj televiziji u petak navečer.
It’s a cool crisp morning here in Sarajevo as the light fog that had gripped the city in the early morning hours slowly burns away as the sun greets this part of the world on its daily journey. The presidential election is just one day away.Today, October 6, is considered a quiet day, as no official campaigning is allowed by any of the candidates.However that does not keep them from being seen in public.Mirsad will take advantage of that opportunity hoping to get out and about around the city to meet people as they tend to their daily activities.A man who was quite unfamiliar to the residents here back in May now can’t go out into public without being stopped by those wanting to shake his hand, have a picture taken or discuss their concerns about the current state of things in Bosnia and Herzegovina and what will he do to try and change that.Tomorrow, October 7, will be unlike any other election day that Mirsad has experienced in his life.For on this day his name will appear on the ballot as one of six candidates running for the Bosniak seat on the presidential council.Following his last campaign rally in nearby Zenica on Thursday night we spoke about his plans for election day.
Još samo jedan dan do izbora za Mirsada Hadžikadića kao kandidata za predsjednika Bosne i Hercegovine
Svježe je i prohladno jutro ovdje u Sarajevu, sa laganom maglom koja je zahvatila grad u ranim jutarnjim satima a sada se polako razilazi dok sunce pozdravlja ovaj dio svijeta na svom dnevnom putovanju. Predsjednički izbori su za samo jedan dan. Danas, 6. oktobra, je dan predizborne tišine kada nijednom kandidatu nije dopuštena službena kampanja. Međutim, to ih ne sprečava da se pojavljuju u javnosti. Mirsad će iskoristiti tu priliku s nadom da prošeta gradom i sretne ljude dok se oni bave svojim svakodnevnim poslovima. Čovjek koji je u maju lokalnom stanovništvu bio prilično nepoznat sada ne može izaći u javnost a da ga ne zaustavljaju oni koji žele da se rukuju, fotografišu i razgovaraju s njim o zabrinutosti zbog trenutnog stanja u Bosni i Hercegovini, i da pitaju šta će on uraditi da to pokuša promijeniti. Sutra, 7. oktobra, bit će drugačiji od svih drugih dana izbora koje je Mirsad doživio u svom životu. Jer, tog dana njegovo ime će biti na glasačkom listiću kao ime jednog od šest kandidata koji se kandiduju za bošnjačko mjesto u Predsjedništvu. Nakon njegovog posljednjeg skupa u četvrtak naveče u obližnjoj Zenici, razgovarali smo o njegovim planovima za dan izbora.
