Anniversary of anti-Milošević coalition win

Today marks eight years since Vojislav Kostunica beat Slobodan Milosevic in the race to become president. Kostunica, running on the united opposition, DOS, ticket, and Milosevic, representing the Socialists (SPS), battled for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SRJ) top job. Anniversary of anti-Milosevic coalition win The Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) had also won the local and federal parliamentary elections on Sept. 24, 2000. Prior to his defeat, Milosevic ruled Serbia and Yugoslavia in various offices for 13 years. However, after the election results were announced, Milosevic refused to concede defeat in the first round, and called for the second round of elections. But DOS, a coalition made of 17 parties snubbed that decision, and called on citizens to civil disobedience and blockade of all institutions. The coalition demanded that Milosevic recognizes the election results by 15:00 CET, Oct. 5, 2000. Citizens were called on that day to gather in front of the then Federal Parliament building in Belgrade. One day after the huge Belgrade protest, Milosevic officially conceded defeat in a televised message. Kostunica thus officially became the first democratically elected Yugoslav president on Oct. 7, when he took an oath in parliament. According to official results, Kostunica won 2,470,304 votes – 50.24 percent – while Milosevic maanged 1,826,799 votes – 37.15 percent. Milosevic was arrested on March 31, 2001, and was extradited to the Hague on June 28, 2001. The Hague Prosecution charged him with war crimes in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, committed during the 1990s wars. Milosevic died on March 11, 2006. in the Tribunal’s detention unit. The prison doctors filed heart failure as the cause of death.

Anniversary of anti-Milošević coalition win

The Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) had also won the local and federal parliamentary elections on Sept. 24, 2000.

Prior to his defeat, Milošević ruled Serbia and Yugoslavia in various offices for 13 years.

However, after the election results were announced, Milošević refused to concede defeat in the first round, and called for the second round of elections. But DOS, a coalition made of 17 parties snubbed that decision, and called on citizens to civil disobedience and blockade of all institutions.

The coalition demanded that Milošević recognizes the election results by 15:00 CET, Oct. 5, 2000. Citizens were called on that day to gather in front of the then Federal Parliament building in Belgrade.

One day after the huge Belgrade protest, Milošević officially conceded defeat in a televised message.

Koštunica thus officially became the first democratically elected Yugoslav president on Oct. 7, when he took an oath in parliament.

According to official results, Koštunica won 2,470,304 votes – 50.24 percent – while Milošević maanged 1,826,799 votes – 37.15 percent.

Milošević was arrested on March 31, 2001, and was extradited to the Hague on June 28, 2001.

The Hague Prosecution charged him with war crimes in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, committed during the 1990s wars.

Milošević died on March 11, 2006. in the Tribunal’s detention unit. The prison doctors filed heart failure as the cause of death.