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 (15 June 1992)
First holder	Dobrica Ćosić
Final holder	Svetozar Marović
Abolished	3 June 2006 (3 June 2006)

The President of Serbia and Montenegro was the main leader, or head of state, of the country called Serbia and Montenegro. This country existed from 1992 to 2006.

Before 2003, the country was known as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Its leader was called the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In 2003, the country changed its government structure. The president's job then combined two roles: head of state and head of government. The full title became President of Serbia and Montenegro and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro.

The office of president ended in 2006. This happened when Serbia and Montenegro split into two separate, independent countries: Serbia and Montenegro.

What the President Did

As the country's leader, the president had several important duties. These duties helped the country run smoothly.

The president would:

• Represent the country both inside and outside its borders.
• Choose and remove ambassadors and other officials who worked in foreign countries.
• Welcome foreign diplomats and accept their official papers.
• Give out medals and other awards to people.
• Officially approve laws that the Parliament (the country's law-making body) had passed.
• Call for new elections for the Parliament.

In 2003, the president's powers grew. The president also became the leader of the Council of Ministers. This council was like the country's main government team. The president could also suggest who should be part of this council to the Parliament.

This change meant the president was both the head of state and the head of government. However, their power was still somewhat limited. This was because the main government bodies were chosen by the Parliament. The Parliament itself was chosen by the parliaments of Serbia and Montenegro.

How Presidents Were Chosen

At first, under the 1992 constitution, the president was chosen by the Federal Assembly of Yugoslavia. They served for a four-year period.

Later, in 2000, new rules were made. These rules allowed people to directly vote for the president. This meant citizens could choose their leader themselves.

After the 2003 constitution, the president was chosen in a different way. 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 an important group. This group was called the Supreme Defence Council. The other members were the president of Serbia and the president of Montenegro.

In 2000, there was a direct election for president. The main candidates were Vojislav Koštunica and Slobodan Milošević. Vojislav Koštunica won 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. These leaders served from 1992 until 2003.

Svetozar Marović was the only president after the country changed its name and government in 2003. He started his term on March 7, 2003. His time in office ended on June 4, 2006. This was the day after Montenegro declared its independence.

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

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Representing	Time in Office			Political Party	Notes
				Started	Ended	Length of Time
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 a public uprising.
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.

Timeline of Presidents

See also

• Politics of Serbia and Montenegro
• Prime Minister of Serbia and Montenegro
• List of heads of state of Yugoslavia
• President of Montenegro
  • List of presidents of Montenegro
• President of Serbia
  • List of presidents of Serbia