President of Serbia and Montenegro Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids President of Serbia and Montenegro
Standard of the President
Longest serving Zoran Lilić 25 June 1993 – 25 June 1997
Residence	White Palace, Belgrade
Precursor	President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia
Formation	15 June 1992
First holder	Dobrica Ćosić
Final holder	Svetozar Marović
Abolished	3 June 2006

The President of Serbia and Montenegro was the main leader of the country Serbia and Montenegro. This important job started in 1992. At first, the country was called the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. So, the leader was known as the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In 2003, the country changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro. The president's job also changed. The president became both the head of state (the country's main representative) and the head of government (the leader who runs the government). The full title became "President of Serbia and Montenegro and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro."

The job of president ended in 2006. This happened when Serbia and Montenegro became two separate, independent countries.

What the President Did
How Presidents Were Chosen
Past Presidents
Timeline of Presidents
Related Topics

What the President Did

The president had several important duties. These duties were like those of a country's main representative.

Here are some of the president's powers:

Representing the country at home and around the world.
Choosing and removing ambassadors and other diplomats.
Greeting foreign diplomats.
Giving out awards and medals.
Signing new laws passed by the Parliament.
Calling for new elections for the Parliament.

After 2003, the president also led the Council of Ministers. This meant the president helped choose who would be in the government. Even with these new powers, the president's role was somewhat limited. This was because many government groups were chosen by the Parliament. The Parliament itself was chosen by the parliaments of Serbia and Montenegro.

How Presidents Were Chosen

The way the president was chosen changed over time.

Early Elections

From 1992, the president was chosen by the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro. This was for a four-year term.

Direct Elections

In 2000, the rules changed. People could vote directly for the president. This was a big change because it gave citizens more say.

Later Changes

After 2003, the president was chosen differently again. The president and vice president of the Parliament would suggest a candidate. This candidate would then be elected for a four-year term. The president of Serbia and Montenegro was also part of a special group called the Supreme Defence Council. This group included the president of Serbia and the president of Montenegro.

In the direct presidential election of 2000, Vojislav Koštunica won. He became president after this election.

Past Presidents

There were six presidents of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Two of them were acting presidents, meaning they filled the role temporarily. This period lasted from 1992 until 2003.

After the country changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro in 2003, there was only one president. His name was Svetozar Marović. He took office on March 7, 2003. When Montenegro became independent on June 3, 2006, his job as president ended the next day.

Socialist Party of Serbia Democratic Party of Serbia Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro Independent

No.	Portrait	Name (Lifespan)	Representing	Term of office			Political party	Note
No.	Portrait	Name (Lifespan)	Representing	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Political party	Note
Presidents of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1992–2003
1		Dobrica Ćosić (1921–2014)	Serbia	15 June 1992	1 June 1993	351 days	Independent	–
–		Miloš Radulović (1929–2017) Acting	Montenegro	1 June 1993	25 June 1993	24 days	DPS	–
2		Zoran Lilić (born 1953)	Serbia	25 June 1993	25 June 1997	4 years	SPS	–
–		Srđa Božović (born 1955) Acting	Montenegro	25 June 1997	23 July 1997	28 days	DPS	–
3		Slobodan Milošević (1941–2006)	Serbia	23 July 1997	7 October 2000	3 years, 76 days	SPS	Left office after public protests.
4		Vojislav Koštunica (born 1944)	Serbia	7 October 2000	7 March 2003	2 years, 151 days	DSS	The only president chosen by direct public vote.
President of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro 2003–2006
5		Svetozar Marović (born 1955)	Montenegro	7 March 2003	3 June 2006	3 years, 88 days	DPS	Also led the government as Chairman of the Council of Ministers.