Famous Serbian Presidents

Slobodan Milošević was a Yugoslav and Serbian politician who served as President of Serbia from 1989 to 1997 and President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1997 until his overthrow in 2000. He played a significant role in the Yugoslav Wars and was the first sitting head of state charged with war crimes. Milošević rose to power through the League of Communists of Serbia, enacting dominant-party rule and facing anti-government protests. He was later charged with war crimes by the ICTY and died before the trial's conclusion.

Boris Tadić is a Serbian politician with a background in psychology, journalism, and education. He rose through the ranks of the Democratic Party (DS) and held various government positions, including minister of telecommunications and minister of defence. Tadić was elected president of DS and later won two terms as president of Serbia. He focused on promoting cooperation in the former Yugoslav region, improving relations with the EU, and navigating challenges such as Kosovo's independence and the global financial crisis.

Milovan Djilas was a Yugoslav communist politician, theorist, and author known for his involvement in the Partisan movement during World War II and his contributions to the post-war government. As a self-identified democratic socialist, Djilas gained recognition as a prominent dissident in Yugoslavia and Eastern Europe, critiquing communism from both within and from an anti-communist perspective following the revolutions of 1989 and the breakup of Yugoslavia. His professional life was marked by a dedication to challenging and improving communist ideology through his writing and political activism.

Tomislav Nikolić is a Serbian former politician who served as the president of Serbia from 2012 to 2017. He was a member of the far-right Serbian Radical Party (SRS) before forming the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Nikolić held various roles in government, including Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and FR Yugoslavia. He was also the deputy leader of SRS and briefly served as the President of the National Assembly of Serbia. Nikolić ran for president multiple times before winning the presidency in 2012.

Vojislav Koštunica is a Serbian former politician who served as the last president of FR Yugoslavia and as the prime minister of Serbia. He played a crucial role in the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević, forming a minority government after the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić. Koštunica was instrumental in the adoption of Serbia's first constitution and declaring the country neutral. He founded and led the Democratic Party of Serbia until 2014 when he resigned and later founded the right-wing eurosceptic "Statehood Movement of Serbia".

Biljana Plavšić is a Bosnian Serb former politician, university professor, and scientist. She served as President of Republika Srpska during the Bosnian War and was later convicted of crimes against humanity. Plavšić was indicted by the ICTY in 2001 for war crimes and sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2003. She plea-bargained with the ICTY and served her sentence in a Swedish prison before being released in 2009. Prior to her political career, she taught biology at the University of Sarajevo.

Željka Cvijanović is a prominent Bosnian Serb politician affiliated with the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats. She has held various high-ranking positions in Republika Srpska, including serving as the 11th Prime Minister from 2013 to 2018 and as the 9th President from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first female member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina since the end of the Bosnian War. Cvijanović's political career showcases her leadership and dedication to public service.

Aleksandar Vučić is a Serbian politician and lawyer who has held various significant positions in the Serbian government. He began his political career in the far-right Serbian Radical Party before co-founding the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in 2008. Vučić served as the president of SNS, first deputy prime minister, and prime minister of Serbia before being elected as the president of Serbia in 2017. He has been involved in crucial dialogues between Kosovo and Serbia, advocated for EU accession, and initiated economic agreements in the Balkan region. Vučić's leadership has been characterized as authoritarian by some observers.