I have a feeling the country is stagnating

The Sarajevo plenum's proposal for Professor Besim Spahić to be the mandate-holder for Sarajevo Canton was not acceptable even to the professor himself. BH director Haris Pašović shares the same opinion, stating that he too would not have accepted such a position had the plenum participants nominated him. Pašović says he himself visited the plenum meetings several times.

- These are unemployed people who know nothing about procedures, they don't even know many people. They mentioned Prof. Spahić because of his public appearances, so they thought he could represent them. I think plenums should not nominate any names. At the plenum, people express their problems, ideas, and proposals. I would agree with some, and disagree with others - says Pašović.

He believes that assemblies should nominate mandate-holders because they are paid for it, and that assemblies should not worry about what groups or individuals think, but they should listen to the voice of the people. He also states that the protests that have been ongoing since February 7th in several BH cities are the culmination of long-standing dissatisfaction among the people. Although the number of demonstrators blocking traffic daily in the capital of BiH is decreasing, Pašović says that the demonstrations do not need to be massive now.

- The will of the people has been established and things are changing. As far as I'm concerned, these protests can stop now. Four governments had to resign, the Federal Government received a very strong message that things are not right - Pašović told NAP.

During our conversation, we also touched upon the projects this director is preparing. However, the realization of these projects is not possible at the moment.

- We have many potential projects, but we, like all other colleagues in other institutions, are on hold. Calls for funding are not open at the cantonal, federal, or state level, which simply gives the feeling that the country is stagnating. Currently, there are no funds for project work - Pašović explains.