Zoran Živkovic (politician)
Encyclopedia
Zoran Živković is a former Prime Minister
of Serbia
who replaced assassinated Prime Minister
Zoran Đinđić in March 2003. He was born on December 22, 1960 in Niš
where he finished high-school Bora Stanković
. Živković received a community college (viša škola) diploma in Economics in Belgrade
and worked as entrepreneur before engaging into politics. Zoran Živković is married to Biserka, a lawyer and a political activist. The couple lives in Niš with their two children, Milena and Marko.
in 1992 by joining the Democratic Party
(DS) and became a member of Serbian Parliament and a party deputy leader. In late 1996 Živković lead the civil protests of the opposition against the electoral fraud and became a first democratic mayor of Niš
in 1997. In 2000 Živković contributed greatly to the mobilization of the democratic opposition of Serbia in removal of Slobodan Milošević
from power. Shortly after he became a federal Minister of Interior of FR Yugoslavia until 2003 and the constitutional formation of State Union of Serbia and Montenegro
.
After the assassination of Zoran Đinđić he decisively lead the reformist government through the state of martial law and offensive on cracking down crime and corruption, but suffering blows under controversial arrests, government scandals, and unrest within the coalition. Weakening public support saw Živković stepping down from the Democratic Party
leadership before the Parliamentary elections in Serbia
in 2004, allowing Boris Tadić
to emerge as a new leader.
After eleven months heading the government of Serbia
, Živković was pushed to the sidelines within DS as he never really got on with the new party leadership under Boris Tadić. Živković formed a non-governmental organization Milenijum, Center for Development of Civil Society (Centar za razvoj građanskog društva 'Milenijum') as a channel for his desire to "modify the consciousness of Serbian citizens related to the need of involving each individual into ongoing process of changes". During this period Živković was often linked in the media to another Democratic Party
outcast Čedomir Jovanović
who was vocally critical of the DS direction under new leadership, but the two never really formed any kind of common political plan of action. Regarding his involvement with the Democratic Party
Živković claimed that he is "only a member" in spite of some views who saw his potential comeback to the party executive board.
During this period, Živković was still present in public life, making occasional appearances on political talk-shows, commenting on his past days with Zoran Đinđić and criticizing the lack of reformist agenda in the government of Vojislav Koštunica
. In personal life, he is also an avid wine enthusiast and a passionate driver.
Disappointed that the Democratic Party didn't include him on their 250-person candidate list for the Serbian parliamentary elections on 21 January 2007, he left politics altogether.
He owns successful winery
Kuća vina Živković.
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
who replaced assassinated Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Zoran Đinđić in March 2003. He was born on December 22, 1960 in Niš
Niš
Niš is the largest city of southern Serbia and third-largest city in Serbia . According to the data from 2011, the city of Niš has a population of 177,972 inhabitants, while the city municipality has a population of 257,867. The city covers an area of about 597 km2, including the urban area,...
where he finished high-school Bora Stanković
Bora Stankovic
Bora Stanković may refer to:* Borisav Stanković, Serbian writer from beginning of 20th century* Borislav Stanković, basketball official and long-time president of FIBA...
. Živković received a community college (viša škola) diploma in Economics in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
and worked as entrepreneur before engaging into politics. Zoran Živković is married to Biserka, a lawyer and a political activist. The couple lives in Niš with their two children, Milena and Marko.
Political life
Zoran Živković entered politicsPolitics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
in 1992 by joining the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Serbia)
The Democratic Party is a political party in Serbia. It is described as a social liberal or social democratic party.-Pre-war history:The Democratic Party was established on 16 February 1919 from unification of Sarajevo parties independent radicals, progressives, liberals and the Serbian part of...
(DS) and became a member of Serbian Parliament and a party deputy leader. In late 1996 Živković lead the civil protests of the opposition against the electoral fraud and became a first democratic mayor of Niš
Niš
Niš is the largest city of southern Serbia and third-largest city in Serbia . According to the data from 2011, the city of Niš has a population of 177,972 inhabitants, while the city municipality has a population of 257,867. The city covers an area of about 597 km2, including the urban area,...
in 1997. In 2000 Živković contributed greatly to the mobilization of the democratic opposition of Serbia in removal of Slobodan Milošević
Slobodan Milošević
Slobodan Milošević was President of Serbia and Yugoslavia. He served as the President of Socialist Republic of Serbia and Republic of Serbia from 1989 until 1997 in three terms and as President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1997 to 2000...
from power. Shortly after he became a federal Minister of Interior of FR Yugoslavia until 2003 and the constitutional formation of State Union of Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia and Montenegro was a country in southeastern Europe, formed from two former republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia : Serbia and Montenegro. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, it was established in 1992 as a federation called the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
.
After the assassination of Zoran Đinđić he decisively lead the reformist government through the state of martial law and offensive on cracking down crime and corruption, but suffering blows under controversial arrests, government scandals, and unrest within the coalition. Weakening public support saw Živković stepping down from the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Serbia)
The Democratic Party is a political party in Serbia. It is described as a social liberal or social democratic party.-Pre-war history:The Democratic Party was established on 16 February 1919 from unification of Sarajevo parties independent radicals, progressives, liberals and the Serbian part of...
leadership before the Parliamentary elections in Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
in 2004, allowing Boris Tadić
Boris Tadic
Boris Tadić is the President of Serbia and leader of the Democratic Party. He was elected to a five-year term on 27 June 2004, and was sworn into office on 11 July. He was re-elected for a de facto second five-year term on 3 February 2008 and was sworn in on 15 February...
to emerge as a new leader.
After eleven months heading the government of Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Živković was pushed to the sidelines within DS as he never really got on with the new party leadership under Boris Tadić. Živković formed a non-governmental organization Milenijum, Center for Development of Civil Society (Centar za razvoj građanskog društva 'Milenijum') as a channel for his desire to "modify the consciousness of Serbian citizens related to the need of involving each individual into ongoing process of changes". During this period Živković was often linked in the media to another Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Serbia)
The Democratic Party is a political party in Serbia. It is described as a social liberal or social democratic party.-Pre-war history:The Democratic Party was established on 16 February 1919 from unification of Sarajevo parties independent radicals, progressives, liberals and the Serbian part of...
outcast Čedomir Jovanović
Cedomir Jovanovic
Čedomir "Čeda" Jovanović is a Serbian politician and president of the Liberal Democratic Party .- Early life :...
who was vocally critical of the DS direction under new leadership, but the two never really formed any kind of common political plan of action. Regarding his involvement with the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Serbia)
The Democratic Party is a political party in Serbia. It is described as a social liberal or social democratic party.-Pre-war history:The Democratic Party was established on 16 February 1919 from unification of Sarajevo parties independent radicals, progressives, liberals and the Serbian part of...
Živković claimed that he is "only a member" in spite of some views who saw his potential comeback to the party executive board.
During this period, Živković was still present in public life, making occasional appearances on political talk-shows, commenting on his past days with Zoran Đinđić and criticizing the lack of reformist agenda in the government of Vojislav Koštunica
Vojislav Koštunica
Vojislav Koštunica is a Serbian politician, statesman and the president of the Democratic Party of Serbia. He was the last President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, succeeding Slobodan Milošević and serving from 2000 to 2003...
. In personal life, he is also an avid wine enthusiast and a passionate driver.
Disappointed that the Democratic Party didn't include him on their 250-person candidate list for the Serbian parliamentary elections on 21 January 2007, he left politics altogether.
He owns successful winery
Winery
A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Some wine companies own many wineries. Besides wine making equipment, larger wineries may also feature warehouses, bottling lines, laboratories, and large expanses of...
Kuća vina Živković.