Boris Šprem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boris Šprem
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Šprem in 2012
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| Speaker of the Croatian Parliament | |
| In office 22 December 2011 – 30 September 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Luka Bebić |
| Succeeded by | Josip Leko |
| Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of Croatia | |
| In office 1 October 2005 – 2007 |
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| President | Stjepan Mesić |
| Preceded by | Davor Božinović |
| Succeeded by | Amir Muharemi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 April 1956 Koprivnički Bregi, PR Croatia, FPR Yugoslavia |
| Died | 30 September 2012 (aged 56) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Mirogoj Cemetery, Zagreb, Croatia |
| Political party | SDP |
| Alma mater | University of Zagreb |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Boris Šprem (born April 14, 1956 – died September 30, 2012) was an important Croatian politician. He served as the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament from 2011 to 2012. He was the first Speaker to pass away while still in office since Croatia became an independent country in 1991.
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Early Life and Education
Boris Šprem was born in Koprivnica, Croatia, on April 14, 1956. At that time, Croatia was part of a country called Yugoslavia. He later went to the University of Zagreb where he studied law.
Political Career Highlights
Boris Šprem had a busy career in politics. From 2005 to 2007, he worked as the Chief of Staff for the President of the Republic, Stjepan Mesić. This means he was a top advisor and manager for the President's office.
He also became the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament in 2011. The Speaker is like the leader of the country's main law-making body. He started this important role on December 22, 2011, after his party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), won the election. Before this, he was also the head of the city council in Zagreb, the capital city.
Illness and Passing
Boris Šprem was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. In June 2012, he had surgery in Zagreb because his illness, called multiple myeloma, had returned. To get more specialized care, he traveled to Houston, Texas, in the United States, on August 23, 2012.
He passed away on September 30, 2012, at a hospital in Houston. He was the first Speaker of the Croatian Parliament to die while holding the position. His deputy, Josip Leko, took over as acting Speaker. Leko was later officially chosen as the new Speaker.
Funeral and Honors
Boris Šprem's body was brought back to Zagreb, Croatia, on October 3. A special ceremony was held in the Parliament on October 4 to honor him. Many important people attended, including his family, former Prime Ministers, and religious leaders.
His funeral procession went to Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb. There, members of the Croatian Armed Forces gave a gun salute to show respect. Although he was not religious for most of his life, Boris Šprem became a Christian during his illness. He asked for a Catholic burial.
After his death, President Ivo Josipović honored Boris Šprem with a very high award called the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with Sash and Morning Star medal (Croatian: Velered kraljice Jelene s lentom i danicom).
Public Reaction
After Boris Šprem's passing, Croatia declared a day of national mourning. This meant that the country officially paused to remember him. The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, also sent his condolences to Šprem's family and the people of Croatia.
See also
In Spanish: Boris Šprem para niños
