Despite intellectuals' opposition, Čović to receive honorary doctorate in Zagreb today!

SARAJevo, (Patria) - The University of Zagreb will award an honorary doctorate to the Croatian member of the Presidency of BiH, Dragan Čović, in the University of Zagreb's hall, it was announced this morning from the BiH Presidency.

A lot of dust has been raised regarding the awarding of the doctorate to Čović, and some are offended by this act, and have returned their doctorates.

The distinguished Croatian writer, journalist, columnist, film critic, Jurica Pavičić, who has been awarded multiple times for his work, publicly returned his doctorate after the member of the Presidency of BiH and leader of HDZ BiH, Dragan Čović, received an honorary one from the University of Zagreb.

He openly criticizes phenomena in Croatian society, points to "nationalist frenzy", reflects on Croatian politics in BiH today, but also analyzes phenomena, as he says, of Bosniak nationalism which, like any other, can have devastating consequences for this country and for Bosniaks themselves.

Professor Đurđica Čilić from the Faculty of Philosophy was the first to oppose Čović receiving an honorary doctorate.

"Where Čović is God, I want to be nothing," said Professor Čilić in an interview for "Novosti".

The professor, who teaches in the Department of West Slavic Languages and Literatures, explains why she opposed the president of HDZ BiH receiving an honorary doctorate from the largest Croatian university, talks about the reactions that followed her statement, as well as what is wrong with Dragan Čović.

"Neither numerous criminal charges, nor the slave-like treatment of Bosniak prisoners in the Croatian-Bosniak conflict, the long-term sad exodus of Croats from Central Bosnia, nor the reign of terror he carries out in his own party, nor the treatment of the Croatian people and the third entity as pawns in political bargains, nor the long-term close cooperation with Milorad Dodik..., nor the mysterious circumstances of his family's enrichment... have not only harmed Čović, but he has also received recognition from the largest Croatian university," says Čilić, reports the Patria agency.

It was announced from the BiH Presidency that Čović will meet with the Mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandić, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, and the Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković, today.