Serb Republic Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic recently extended Christmas greetings to religious leaders of many constituencies across the republic, both Christian and Orthodox, as well as all citizens.
 
“On behalf of the government of the Republic of Srpska and my own, I pass my greetings on the occasion of celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the forthcoming year 2017,” Cvijanovic said. “May the merriest Christian holiday -- the day of Christ's nativity -- bring us peace, love and family happiness and the New Year be full of stability and prosperity for all our citizens.”
 
The prime minister directed her good wishes explicitly to “His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, to orthodox archbishops, episcopes, priests, monks and entire Serbian Orthodox people,” as well as Orthodox believers throughout the Serb Republic and Bosnia and Herzegovina who observe the Julian calendar.
 
Cvijanovic expressed hope that the Christmas season would remind citizens of family values, comparing a “strong and healthy family” to “the guarantee of healthy and prosperous society.”
 
“Merry Christmas,” she said.
 
Cvijanovic has served the republic as its 11th prime minister since March 2013. She was minister of economic relations and regional cooperation in the republic’s previous government. Additionally, she served as an English teacher and an interpreter for an EU mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
Having studied philosophy in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, Cvijanovic holds a master’s degree in diplomatic and consular law from The Banja Luka Law School.