Biography
Ivo Josipović, born on August 28, 1957, in Zagreb, is a Croatian academic, lawyer, composer, and politician who was the third President of Croatia from 2010 to 2015. His varied career includes work in law, music, education, and politics, making him one of Croatia's most intellectually diverse public figures. He studied law at the University of Mostar and the Faculty of Law at the University of Zagreb, where he also earned a Ph.D. in Law. He also has advanced degrees in music composition, showing his strong interest in both law and the arts.
Josipović started his political career during the socialist era as a member of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia (SKJ). He was instrumental in Croatia's move to democracy by writing the first statute that changed the League of Communists of Croatia (SKH) into the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He left politics in 1994 to focus on teaching and his music but returned in 2003, winning a parliamentary seat as an independent on the SDP list. He was re-elected in 2007 as a full SDP member.
In the 2009-10 presidential election, Josipović was the SDP candidate with a campaign called 'Nova pravednost' (New Justice). He focused on tackling corruption, organized crime, and social inequality while promoting human rights, including LGBT rights, and core democratic values. He led the first round with 32.4% of the vote among twelve candidates and faced Milan Bandić, the independent Mayor of Zagreb, in the runoff. Josipović won convincingly with 60.26% of the vote and was inaugurated on February 18, 2010, at St. Mark's Square in Zagreb.
As president, Josipović worked to enhance Croatia's global reputation and received many honors from other countries, including the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Royal Order of the Seraphim, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav. He ran for re-election in 2014-15 with backing from the center-left Kukuriku coalition but secured only 38.46% of the vote, ending his presidency in 2015. Throughout his career, he has continued to be a university professor and composer, contributing to both Croatian legal studies and music culture.
Before Fame
Josipović grew up in Zagreb during the Yugoslav era, interested in both law and music from an early age. His early years matched the political and social changes of 1970s and 1980s Yugoslavia, when intellectual discussions and cultural expression were changing within the socialist system. He studied at the University of Mostar and the Faculty of Law at the University of Zagreb, while also developing his music skills through formal composition training.
He entered politics through the League of Communists of Yugoslavia, where he saw the tensions and changes that would eventually lead to Yugoslavia's breakup. His legal knowledge and political understanding made him an important figure in Croatia's move to democracy, especially through his work in turning the communist party into a social democratic organization fit for the new political scene.
Key Achievements
- Served as the third President of Croatia from 2010 to 2015
- Authored the founding statute of the Social Democratic Party of Croatia during democratic transition
- Won the 2009-10 presidential election with 60.26% of the vote in the second round
- Maintained dual careers as university law professor and music composer throughout his public service
- Received multiple international honors including Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Did You Know?
- 01.He is married to Tatjana Josipović and has maintained his marriage throughout his public career
- 02.Josipović authored the first statute of the Social Democratic Party of Croatia when it transformed from the communist-era League of Communists
- 03.He took a decade-long break from politics between 1994 and 2003 to focus on his academic and musical careers
- 04.His presidential campaign slogan 'Nova pravednost' specifically targeted corruption and organized crime as central issues
- 05.He received the prestigious Royal Order of the Seraphim from Sweden, one of Europe's oldest and most exclusive orders of chivalry
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | 2011 | — |
| Order of the White Eagle | — | — |
| Order of the Three Stars, 3rd Class | — | — |
| Grand Order of King Tomislav | — | — |
| Grand Order of Queen Jelena | — | — |
| Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV | — | — |
| Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir | — | — |
| Order of Duke Trpimir | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav | 2011 | — |
| Royal Order of the Seraphim | — | — |
| Knight of the Order of the Elephant | 2014 | — |
| European Medal of Tolerance | — | — |
| Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland | 2011 | — |