YU LEXICON
- State simbols
- Constituent Acts of Yugoslavia
- Dignitaries
Dignitaries
Since the creation of the joint Yugoslav state on December 1, 1918 until June 2006, when following the referendum in Montenegro the State Union ceased to exist, 33 Prime Ministers altered. During that time as much as 65 cabinets were established and dismantled, of which 38 governments were established in the period of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes/Yugoslavia (until the Coup of March 27, in 1941), 7 during the exile period in London (including the last Šubašić Government, until March 5, 1945), 14 in the era of the socialist Yugoslavia (the Democratic Federal Yugoslavia, the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) and 7 governments since the establishment of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
Depending on the epoch and the social and political circumstances, the governments, as well as their prime ministers, held different titles. Initially, in the period of the existence of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes/Yugoslavia, the government was the Ministerial Council, and its prime minister the President of the Ministerial Council. This same term was for a short time used after the establishment of the socialist system of rule. The 1946 Constitution envisaged the term the Government of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia and the President of the Government of the FPRY. The 1953 Constitution changed the government's name into the Federal Executive Council, and the President of the Republic figured as the President of the Federal Executive Council. It was only on June 30, 1963 that the Federal Executive Council, after constitutional amendments and passing the Decision on the Election of the Federal Executive Council, attained its President. After the break up of the Yugoslav federation and the establishment of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, the Yugoslav Government since 1992 was renamed into the Federal Government, and its Prime Minister into the President of the Federal Government. The last change occurred on February 4, 2003 when the Constitutional Charter of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro was adopted and declared and its President elected.
Simultaneously there existed several colloquial names for the highest executive body of the state and its president, among which the most frequent ones present in archive materials and literature are: the Royal Government, the Yugoslav Royal Government (the period of the Kingdom of SCS/Yugoslavia), the Royal Government-London, the Emigree Government, the Exile Government in London (during the exile), the Federal Government, the Central Government (during socialist Yugoslavia, SRY and the State Union).
We herewith include a list of all Yugoslav Prime Ministers, with periods of their terms of offices, as well as their photographs and basic biographical data. The photographs enclosed present the ownership of the Archives (the collection of photographs and publications), except several that are part of private collections.
Stojan Protić
(Kruševac, 16.01.1857. –
Beograd, 28.10.1923.)
Government period:
- 20.12.1918. - 16.08.1919;
- 19.02.1920. - 17.05.1920.
Ljubomir Davidović
(Vlaško Polje, 24.12.1863. –
Beograd, 19.02.1940.)
Government period:
- 16.08.1919. - 19.02.1920;
- 27.07.1924. - 06.11.1924.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- three
dr Milenko R. Vesnić
(Dunište, Raška, 13.02.1863. –
Pariz, 28.05.1921.)
Government period:
- 17.05.1920. - 01.01.1921.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
Nikola Pašić
(Zaječar, 19.12.1845. –
Beograd, 10.12.1926.)
Government period:
- 01.01.1921. - 27.07.1924;
- 06.11.1924. - 08.04.1926.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- ten
Nikola T. Uzunović
(Niš, 03.05.1873. –
Beograd, 19.07.1954.)
Government period:
- 08.04.1926. - 17.04.1927;
- 27.01.1934. - 20.12.1934.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- seven
Velimir-Velja Vukićević
(selo Oparić, 11.07.1871. –
Beograd, 27.11.1930.)
Government period:
- 17.04.1927. - 27.07.1928.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
dr Anton Korošec
(Biserjani, 12.05.1872. –
Beograd, 14.12.1940.)
Government period:
-27.07.1928. - 06.01.1929
gen. Petar Živković
(Negotin, 05.02.1879. –
Pariz, 03.02.1947.)
Government period:
- 06.01.1929. - 04.04.1932.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- three
dr Vojislav Marinković
(Beograd, 13.05.1876. –
Beograd, 18.09.1935.)
Government period:
- 04.04.1932. - 03.07.1932.
dr Milan Srškić
(Beograd, 03.02.1880. –
Beograd, 12.04.1937.)
Government period:
- 03.07.1932. - 27.01.1934
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
Boguljub Jevtić
(Kragujevac, 24.12.1887. –
Pariz, 1967.)
Government period:
- 21.12.1934. - 24.06.1935.
dr Milan Stojadinović
(Čačak, 04.08.1888. –
Buenos Ajres, 24.10.1961.)
Government period:
- 24.06.1935. - 05.02.1939.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
Dragiša Cvetković
(Niš, 15.01.1893. –
Pariz, 18.02.1969.)
Government period:
- 05.02.1939. - 27.03.1941.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
gen. Dušan Simović
(Kragujevac, 09.11.1882. -
Beograd, 26.08.1962.)
Government period:
- 27.03.1941 - 11.01.1942.
dr Slobodan Jovanović
(Novi Sad, 03.12.1869. -
London, 12.12.1958.)
Government period:
- 11.01.1942. - 26.06.1943.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
Miloš Trifunović
(Užice, 30.10.1871. -
Beograd, 21.02.1957.)
Government period:
- 26.06.1943. - 10.08.1943.
dr Božidar Purić
(Beograd, 19.02.1891. –
Čikago, 28.10.1977.)
Government period:
- 10.08.1943. - 01.06.1944.
dr Ivan Šubašić
(Vukova Gorica kod Karlovca, 27.05.1892. –
Zagreb, 22.03.1955.)
Government period:
- 01.06.1944. - 05.03.1945.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
Josip Broz Tito
(Kumrovec, 07.05.1892. –
Ljubljana, 04.05.1980.)
Government period:
- 07.03.1945. - 30.06.1963.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- four
Petar Stambolić
(Brozova, Ivanjica, 12.07.1912. –
Beograd, 21.09.2007.)
Government period:
- 30.06.1963. - 19.05.1967.
Mika Špiljak
(Odra, Sisak, 28.11.1916. -
Zagreb, 25.05.2007. )
Government period:
- 19.05.1967. - 18.05.1969.
Mitja Ribičič
(Trst, 29.05.1919.)
Government period:
- 18.05.1969. - 30.07.1971.
Džemal Bijedić
(Mostar, 22.04.1917. –
Inač kod Kreševa, 18.01.1977.)
Government period:
- 30.07.1971. - 18.01.1977.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
Veselin Đuranović
(Martinići, Danilovgrad, 17.05.1925. –
Podgorica, 1997.)
Government period:
- 15.03.1977. - 16.05.1982.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
Milka Planinc
(Drniš, 21.11.1924. )
Government period:
- 16.05.1982. - 16.05.1986
Branko Mikulić
(Podgrađe, Gornji Vakuf, 10.06.1928. -
Sarajevo, 11.04.1994.)
Government period:
- 16.05.1986. - 16.03.1989.
Ante Marković
(Konjic, 25.11.1924.)
Government period:
- 16.03.1989. - 14.07.1992.
Milan Panić
(Beograd, 20.12.1929.)
Government period:
- 14.07.1992. - 02.03.1993.
dr Radoje Kontić
(Starševina kod Nikšića, 31.05.1937.)
Government period:
- 02.03.1993. - 20.05.1998.
Number of presidential terms of offices:
- two
mr Momir Bulatović
(Podgorica, 21.09.1956.)
Government period:
- 20.05.1998. - 04.11.2000.
Zoran Žižić
(Podgorica, 04.03.1951.)
Government period:
- 04.11.2000. - 24.07.2001.
Dragiša Pešić
(Danilovgrad, 08.08.1954.)
Government period:
- 24.07.2001. - 07.03.2003.
Svetozar Marković
(Kotor, 31.03.1955. )
Government period:
- 07.03.2003. - 03.06.2006.
Text prepared by: Dragoš Petrović
Presidency of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia
Presidency of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) was formed as collective supreme authority for leadership in SFRY. This body was established to be collective head of the state) after the death of the President Josip Broz Tito. It was formed on June 30, 1971 according to the amendments to the Constitution of SFRY from 1963 and established by the new Constitution from 1974. Work of Presidency was defined by Constitution of SFRY from 1974. In the period from 1971 to 1974 Presidency had 23 members, 3 from each republic and two from each Province and President of the State, Josip Broz Tito. Josip Broz Tito was nominated lifelong president of the Republic by the Constitution from 1974 and was Head of the Presidency of SFRY. Constitution anticipated that Presidency of SFRY have 9 members one from each republic and autonomous provinces as well as President of the League of the Communist Party. Members of the Presidency were elected on five years and they couldn't be elected for two successive mandates.
Presidency of SFRY when Josip Broz died on May 4, 1980, officially took over control of the country. The first President of the Presidency became Lazar Koliševski, earlier vice president. After the death of Josip Broz Tito lifelong president of SFRY, from May 4, 1980 till official breakdown of SFRY on April 27, 1992, President of the Presidency was elected every year, rotating every year with the member of the Presidency from different federal unit with determined order in advance, so that President of the Presidency inherited his Vice President. Presidency of SFRY comprised at that time from one member from each republic and the province as well as President of the Presidency of Central Committee of the League of the Communists of Yugoslavia. By Constitution amendment from 1988 Central Committee of the League of the Communists of Yugoslavia lost its member in the Presidency and from that period till 1992, the presidency had 8 members, one from each republic and province. At the time some Republics left SFRY, the Presidency had 6 members and afterwards it had four members. Finally in 1992 it ceased to exist by forming Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Through Presidency of SFRY from 1971 to 1992, about 60 persons and among them was just one woman, Ida Sabo PDF. The members of the Presidency were elected by province respectfully republic assemblies and their election was confirmed by Federal Assembly.
In the period from 1971 to 1980, Josip Broz Tito was automatically delegated to the Presidency who was at the same time President of the Presidency of FNRY. After Tito’s death in 1980 until 1988, President of the Presidency of Central Committee of League of the Communists of Yugoslavia automatically became member of the Presidency of SFRY.
After Josip Broz Tito, the function of the President of the Presidency exercised 15 politicians, two representatives from each federal unit and autonomous provinc without one representative from Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.
Presidents of the Presidency were:| FIRST AND LAST NAME | FEDERAL UNIT | PRESIDENTS OF THE PRESIDENCY |
|---|---|---|
| Lazar Koliševski | People’s Republic of Macedonia | 04.05.1980. – 14.05.1980. |
| Cvijetin Mijatović | People’s Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina | 15.05.1980. – 14.05.1981. |
| Sergej Krajger | People’s Republic of Slovenia | 15.05.1981. – 14.05.1982. |
| Petar Stambolić | People’s Republic of Serbia | 15.05.1982. – 14.05.1983. |
| Mika Špiljak | People’s Republic of Croatia | 15.05.1983. – 14.05.1984. |
| Veselin Đuranović | People’s Republic of Montenegro | 15.05.1984. – 14.05.1985. |
| Radovan Vlajković | Autonomous Province of Vojvodina | 15.05.1985. – 14.05.1986. |
| Sinan Hasani | SAP Kosovo | 15.05.1986. – 14.05.1987. |
| Lazar Mojsov | SR Makedonija | 15.05.1987. – 14.05.1988. |
| Raif Dizdarević | People’s Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina | 15.05.1988. – 14.05.1989. |
| Janez Drnovšek | People’s Republic of Slovenia | 15.05.1989. – 14.05.1990. |
| Borisav Jović | People’s Republic of Serbia | 15.05.1990. – 14.05.1991. |
| Sejdo Bajramović (v. d.) | Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija | 15.05.1991. – 29.06.1991. |
| Stjepan Mesić | People’s Republic of Croatia | 30.06.1991. – 03.10.1991. (formalno je dao ostavku 5. decembra 1991.). |
After Josip Broz Tito, the function of the President of the Presidency exercised 15 politicians, two representatives from each federal unit and autonomous provinc without one representative from Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.
Proclaiming Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on April 1992 and electing Dobrica Ćosić President of the Presidency of FRY, work of the Presidency of SFRY had been ceased.
Lazar Koliševski
(Sveti Nikole, 12.02.1914. –
Skoplje, 06.07.2000.)
Participant of the Second World War,
President of the Presidency of Macedonia,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Cvijetin Mijatović
(Lopare, Tuzla, 08.01.1913. –
Beograd, 15.11.1993.)
Participant of the Second World War,
MP,
ambassador,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Sergej Krajger
(Postojna, 30. 05. 1914. –
Ljubljana, 18. 01. 2001.)
doctor
Participant of the Second World War,
MP,
President of the National Assembly of Slovenia,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Petar Stambolić
(Brezova, Ivanjica, 12.07.1912. –
Beograd, 21.09.2007.)
Participant of the Second World War,
President of Federal Executive Council,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Mika Špiljak
(Odra, Sisak, 28.11.1916. -
Zagreb, 25.05.2007. )
Participant of the Second World War,
the Prime Minister of Croatia,
the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Veselin Đuranović
(Donji Martinići, Danilovgrad, 17.05.1925 –
Podgorica, 30.08.1997)
teacher,
Participant of the Second World War,
President of Federal Executive Council,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Radovan Vlajković
(Buđanovci, Ruma, 08.11.1924. –
Novi Sad, 12.11.2001.)
Participant of the Second World War,
MP,
President of the National Assembly of Vojvodina,
President of the Presidency of Vojvodina,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Sinan Hasani
(Požaranje, Vitina, 14. 05.1922. –
Beograd, 28.08.2010.)
writer,
diplomat,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Dr Lazar Mojsov
(Negotino, Veles, 19.12.1920. –
Beograd, 25.08.2011.)
Participant of the Second World War,
MP,
diplomat,
President of the Presidency of SKJ,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Raif Dizdarević
(Fojnica, 09.12.1926)
Participant of the Second World War,
President of the National Assembly SFRY,
President of the Presidency of SFRY
Janez Drnovšek
(Celje, 17.05.1950 –
Zaplana, 23.02.2008)
Prime minister,
Prime PM and president of Slovenia
Borisav Jović
(Nikšić, 19.10.1928. –
13.09.2021.)
economist,
President of the Presidency of SFRY,
President of Socialist Party of Serbia
Sejdo Bajramović
(1927 - 1993)
Stjepan „Stipe“ Mesić
(Orahovica, 24.12.1934.)
lawyer,
President of the Presidency of SFRY,
the Prime Minister,
President of Parliament and president of Croatia
Branko Kostić
(Rvaši, Cetinje, 28. 08. 1939. –
Podgorica, 20. 08. 2020.)
economist
The members of the Presidency elected after 1988 were Janez Drnovšek from Slovenia, Borisav Jović from Serbia, Nenad Bućin from Montenegro, Stipe Šuvar from Croatia, Bogić Bogićević from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vasil Tupurkovski from Macedonia, Dragutin Zelenović from Vojvodina, and Riza Sapundžija from Kosovo and Metohija. However, demands from some republics to make changes soon followed, and after the multi-party parliamentary elections in August 1990, Croatia recalled Stipe Šuvar and replaced him with Stjepan Mesić, Montenegro replaced Nenad Bućin with Branko Kostić, Vojvodina replaced Dragutin Zelenović with Jugoslav Kostić, and Kosovo and Metohija Riza Sapundzija with Sejdo Bajramovic. The most capable persons from the republics were no longer sent to the Presidency of the SFRY, but the presidents of the republics sent second-class persons to the highest state body. Until then, the leadership of Yugoslavia was carried out from the Presidency of the SFRY, and now it has disintegrated in eight places.
Text prepared by: Dragoš Petrović