May Day, the International Labor Day, is celebrated all over the world. Citizens spend it in different ways, from protest walks in which they try to point out the poor position of workers to vacations in the nearby mountains and hanging out with family and friends over a barbecue.
Journalists contacted politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and asked them how they spend this holiday. While some decided to relax with a book, others used their free time to stay at the sea and spend time with their family. Some spend their non-working days working, and some are unavailable on their mobile phones.
BiH Minister of Security Nenad Nesic was spending May Daywith his family, and as he told, he will use his free time to play with the children.
“Holidays are a rare opportunity when I can spend the whole day with my family. I will spend today playing with the children. They are eager to play with their father, and I rest best when they tire me,” Nesic told yesterday.
The mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karic, also spends May Day in a family atmosphere.
“For a short break from the many obligations we have, our family used the May Day holidays for vacation on the Montenegrin coast. Our little son was especially happy about that,” Karic said.
She adds that due to her daily business obligations, there are rare moments when she can enjoy a full day’s rest.
Her colleague from Mostar, Mario Kordic, met with trade union representatives and citizens yesterday.
The current federal minister of the interior, Aljosa Campara, spent yesterday’s day in Neum.
“I’m in Neum right now,” Campara mentioned yesterday. He used the opportunity to congratulate the citizens on May Day and expressed his hope that they will succeed in fighting for better working conditions.
SDA representative in the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH (FBiH), Haris Zahiragic, told that he will spend May Day with his family. As it was found out, his party president also stayed in Sarajevo.
“Considering the position of the workers, I think that many who spend the holiday with barbecues have not understood its essence,” Zahiragic added.
State parliamentarian Sanja Vulic (SNSD) spent May Day alone.
“I’m home today, I’m totally isolated, alone. I used this May Day to read something and watch a good movie,” she told yesterday.
She added that on this day we should all remember that it is necessary to respect the basic human right, which is the right to work.
The vice-president of the entity Republika Srpska (RS) Camil Durakovic told that he was in Srebrenica, at home, and that he was not going anywhere.
The mayor of Istocno Sarajevo, Ljubisa Cosic, pointed out that he was in the village with his parents in Bulozi.
“I’m not sure we’ll have a barbecue, I have some wood to stack and the car to wash,” said Cosic.
Vojin Mijatovic, vice president of SDP and the newly appointed minister for development, entrepreneurship and crafts, spent the day working in Banja Luka.
“I don’t organize barbecue. I read legal and by-laws, do budget analysis, read audit reports,” Mijatovic stressed.
PDP president and state parliamentarian Branislav Borenovicwas with his friends on Ponir near Banja Luka.
“Classic situation, socializing, barbecue, and a bit of relaxation,” said Borenovic.
Nebojsa Vukanovic, deputy in National Asssembly of RS (NARS), decided yesterday to stay in Trebinje and rest.
HDZ leader Dragan Covic and Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of BiH Borjana Kristo spent yesterday’s day working in Mostar, where they hosted Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. To recall, Plenkovic arrived in Mostar on the occasion of the 24th International Business Fair.
The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, stressed that he was resting with his family after a busy start to the year.
NARS President Nenad Stevandic decided to stay home, and HDZ 1990 leader Ilija Cvitanovic explained that he was spending May Day at a traditional mass in his home parish of Rumboci, at the Zahum picnic area, where traditional games, gatherings and mass are organized, Klix.ba reports.
