The most famous female mayor from BiH is running independently: The budget of Visoko has been increased by 30 percent

The most famous female mayor from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Amra Babić, is running independently in the Local Elections in October this year. The local organization of the Party of Democratic Action, of which she was a member until recently, could not keep up with her pro-European standards, writes the Patria news agency.

Babić became the first female mayor in Europe and beyond to wear a hijab, which attracted the attention of many world media. They described her as a true model for Islam and Europe. 

The work of Mayor Babić was followed by journalists from America, English journalists, Russians, Turks... There is no doubt that this small town near Sarajevo will once again make headlines in world magazines if Babić is elected mayor once again. And, judging by the mood among the residents of Visoko, it is unlikely that her opponents have any chance at all. 

- She is the best proof that Muslim tradition is compatible with Western democratic values – the Canadian newspaper Monterey Herald published four years ago.

The American daily The Washington Times wrote that Babić plans to make Visoko “an attractive city for foreign investment and encourage young people to start private businesses”. The newspaper stated that her goal was to combat the high unemployment rate in this Bosnian-Herzegovinian city.

Babić fulfilled this less than four years later. She stabilized the budget and budget spending in Visoko. She increased the budget of the Municipality of Visoko by 30.54 percent. She managed to pay off old accumulated debts while investing 11.5 million KM in infrastructure development. 

- Employment growth increased by 7.85 percent, and the number of registered business entities in Visoko increased by 32.06 percent, as did the number of registered crafts by 19.32 percent – according to the report on the work of the Municipality of Visoko.

Auditors state that Visoko ranks first in the Zenica-Doboj Canton in terms of gross exports per capita. The process of local economic development has been initiated.

Thanks to Mayor Babić’s friendly relations with many political leaders from Europe and the world, Visoko has received new roads, new promenades, a new health center serving more than 16,000 people. The residents of Visoko have received one of the most modern halls in the region, as well as a number of other valuable things. 

- Our intention is to prepare this city and this municipality as well as possible for the entry of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the European Union – Babić stated. 

The German newspaper Die Welt rightly wrote four years ago that Babić is “a covered Muslim woman who is the choice not only of the residents of Visoko, but also of Europe.”

The American agency Associated Press (AP) also wrote about Babić.

- I am both East and West. I am proud to be a Muslim, but also a European. I come from a country where faiths and cultures live in harmony. All of this together makes up my identity – Babić told AP.

The renowned Pakistani newspaper The "Express Tribune" recalled that the election of Amra Babić is a “model for Europe and Islam.”
Journalists from the Spanish newspaper ABC were fascinated by Amra Babić, whom they described as primarily a mother of three children. 

The Italian newspaper Amando described Amra Babić as “a woman who practices and lives Islam”.

- This is a great story of a brave woman – emphasized the journalist from Amanda, writes Patria.