Pro-government says Mercury retrograde claim sends Bosnia’s education minister into social-media storm

Pro-government says Mercury retrograde claim sends Bosnia’s education minister into social-media storm
Jasna Duraković, the education minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, announced on TikTok that she would reduce her activities until November 14, citing the astrological phenomenon commonly known as retrograde Mercury. The period, she said, began on October 30.

In the video, Duraković linked the decision to what she described as a series of unusually difficult interactions. “In recent days I have had countless very bad communication experiences,” she said, adding that she was beginning to believe planetary positions affected “our mood, our behavior and our communication.”

She also said the situation felt particularly significant because she is a Gemini and considers Mercury her ruling planet. As a communications specialist, she added, the alleged communication barriers had been especially difficult for her. She recommended that others withdraw from more intensive activities until November 14 as well.

The announcement quickly drew criticism and ironic reactions on social media. Commenters questioned whether the video was genuine or generated by artificial intelligence, while others sarcastically suggested postponing examinations until the end of the astrological period.

Several reactions focused on Duraković’s role as an education minister. One commenter wrote, “I’m desperately looking for a trace of irony. There isn’t one. Terrible,” while another questioned whether horoscopes might soon become a compulsory school subject.

The response also took a political turn. Some commenters connected the statement to Duraković’s membership in the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina and framed it as a betrayal of Bosniak interests. The reports did not indicate that Duraković had issued a further explanation beyond the original video.