Edvin Alijanović: I will stop illegal construction, the turning of the city into a favela, and solve the landfill issue...

(Patria) - Edvin Alijanović is a publicist and professor of Bosnian language and literature and history, holding a master's degree in humanities. He is a former minister of education, science, culture and sports in the Government of the Una-Sana Canton.

Alijanović is the Democratic Front candidate for mayor of Bosanska Krupa. He will face off against the current mayor Armin Halitović from the SDP, who is seeking citizens' support for his fifth term, and Hasan Kahrić from the SDA. We spoke with Alijanović about the situation in Bosanska Krupa and his candidacy.

Even before becoming minister, you were engaged in preserving the cultural and historical heritage of Bosanska Krupa?

Alijanović: For many years, I actively worked with students on preserving cultural and historical heritage and literally built the image of this city in that regard. Krupa is a city with rich cultural and historical heritage, which is why it gained city status, and it would be a shame if the wider public did not know about the rich history of our city. I can boast of several first-place wins in the Federation when it comes to this topic.


You also wrote a book about the writer Murat Šuvalić, who is from Krupa?

Alijanović: Yes, it is about a prominent intellectual from Krupa who had been forgotten. Believing that his work and character must not fall into oblivion, I collected all his works, as well as known facts about him, and compiled them into the book "The Life and Work of Murat Šuvalić." This is also the topic of my doctorate; I connected my love for my homeland with science.

You spent 8 months as Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports in the Government of the Una-Sana Canton. Are you satisfied with what was accomplished?

Alijanović: When you do your job with responsibility and dedication, whether in the classroom or as minister, it must result in great and recognizable successes. I worked literally 24 hours a day and was available to everyone. It was a time of floods, unfortunate events accompanied by murders in Serbia, and repercussions in our country, but we managed to respond to all adversities. There were also very nice things and innovations, from new laws, successful negotiations with unions, various positive decisions, and financial assistance to all who needed it. Thank you to everyone who recognized that. With a good team by my side, results were guaranteed, and I am especially pleased that our party president, Mr. Željko Komšić, followed my work and was satisfied with it.

Today you are a candidate for mayor of Bosanska Krupa?

Alijanović: I am a great lover of my city, Bosanska Krupa, and through my work, both from the classroom and from the position of minister, I actively worked on improving my city. There are great results behind me. I was delighted every time I could do something special for my city, whether it was the reconstruction of schools, of which there were many, the new modern Idrinovac playground, 1,300,000 convertible marks went through my department for the construction of a sports hall in Bosanska Krupa. There are also various associations and societies that have been supported.

I believe that I can do much more for this city from the position of mayor. We in the Democratic Front, led by Mr. Željko Komšić, believe that local elections are the most important political event in Bosnia and Herzegovina, because people resolve at least 90% of their daily obligations precisely in the environment where they live and work. Very dissatisfied with the situation in my local community, and aware of the fact that if I want change, I must be part of it, I stood up openly and started a campaign with clear goals.

What are your main goals?

Alijanović: There is a lot that needs to be changed and worked on, but above all, I believe that new energy is needed. In this city, we have been facing illegal construction for many years, and that will be the first thing to be stopped. We often say: this is no longer a city, this is a favela! This refers to infrastructure facilities that are of interest to the wider community. It refers to buildings where our city appears as an investor, so these are buildings built with our money, and illegal construction is, from a professional standpoint, uncontrolled and as such dangerous for people's safety. In addition, we will work on protecting the riverbeds of the Una and Krušnica, not only from illegal construction but also from wastewater control. Believe me, during my time as mayor, not a single nail will be allowed to be illegally hammered near these rivers.

A big problem is also our open wounds: the Meždre landfill and the sewage system along the Una River in the very city center. We will solve all of this in appropriate ways, and professionals will be involved in everything. Nothing will be allowed to be done without consulting experts. A primary goal will also be the revision of the city budget and making it transparent. We will carry out necessary reforms of the city administration to improve the quality and efficiency of work, but also with the aim of completely separating the city administration from political influence. The work of all Public Companies and Institutions founded by the City will be analyzed in detail, with a focus on their operations and employment.

Is that too ambitious?

Alijanović: I don't think so; these are the basic things that need to be resolved and, in my opinion, the primary problems. In addition, we will work in parallel on solving other needs, e.g., stray dogs, where I have already arranged co-financing for the construction of a shelter, adequate spaces for the library and the local museum, many things that will affect the development of tourism. As for asphalt and lighting, drinking water, I don't want to talk about that; let others boast about that; in my opinion, those are basic human rights in the 21st century.

You can watch the candidate's video spot at this link