Stjepan Mesić
Who was Stjepan Mesić?
Second President of Croatia (2000-2010) who previously served as the last President of Yugoslavia before its dissolution.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Stjepan Mesić (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Stjepan Mesić, born on December 24, 1934, in Orahovica, Croatia, is a major figure in Croatian and Yugoslav history, particularly during the shift from socialism to democracy. After completing his law degree at the University of Zagreb, Mesić started his political career as a deputy in the Croatian Parliament in the 1960s, then stepped back from politics for 20 years.
He made a comeback in 1990 by joining the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) during Croatia's first multi-party elections. After HDZ won, he became Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Croatia, leading what today's Croatian government sees as the first cabinet of modern Croatia. Although his time as prime minister was short, it was crucial for starting Croatia's move away from Yugoslav socialism.
After stepping down, Mesić was appointed to represent Croatia in the Yugoslav federal presidency, serving first as vice president and then as the last President of Yugoslavia in 1991. During this time, he also served as secretary general of the Non-Aligned Movement. His presidency coincided with Yugoslavia's breakup, placing him at the center of one of Europe's major geopolitical changes of the late 20th century.
Once Croatia gained independence, Mesić was Speaker of the Croatian Parliament from 1992 to 1994. After clashing with HDZ, he helped form the Croatian Independent Democrats (HND) and later joined the Croatian People's Party (HNS) in 1997. Following President Franjo Tuđman's death in December 1999, Mesić ran for president and won in February 2000. He served two five-year terms until 2010, working on integrating Croatia into European and Atlantic institutions and strengthening democracy and the rule of law.
Before Fame
Born in the small town of Orahovica in eastern Croatia, Mesić grew up during World War II and the early years of socialist Yugoslavia under Josip Broz Tito. He studied law at the University of Zagreb, one of the region's top schools, during the 1950s when Yugoslavia was creating its own type of socialism and a non-aligned foreign policy.
Mesić first entered politics in the 1960s as a deputy in the Croatian Parliament during a time when Croatian nationalism was on the rise, with more demands for autonomy within Yugoslavia. However, after the Croatian Spring movement was suppressed in 1971, he stepped away from active politics for nearly twenty years. He returned when democratic reforms started in the late 1980s and early 1990s as Yugoslavia began to break apart along ethnic and republican lines.
Key Achievements
- Served as the last President of Yugoslavia during its dissolution in 1991
- Became the second President of Croatia, serving two full terms from 2000 to 2010
- Led Croatia's first post-socialist government as Prime Minister in 1990
- Served as Speaker of the Croatian Parliament from 1992 to 1994
- Received numerous international honors including the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Did You Know?
- 01.He served as mayor of his hometown Orahovica in addition to his national political roles
- 02.As the last President of Yugoslavia, he was also the final secretary general of the Non-Aligned Movement under that country's leadership
- 03.He was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George by the United Kingdom
- 04.Despite being HDZ's candidate for prime minister in 1990, he later became one of the party's most prominent critics and opponents
- 05.He received the Jubilee Medal commemorating the 60th anniversary of victory in World War II from Russia
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George | — | — |
| Order of the Three Stars, 1st Class | — | — |
| Jubilee Medal "60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania | — | — |
| Order of the Republic | — | — |
| 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 | — | — |
| Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of the White Double Cross | 2001 | — |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | — | — |
| Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (civil) | — | — |
| National Maltese Order of Merit | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles | — | — |
| Dostyk Order of grade I | — | — |
| Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class | — | — |
| Pushkin Medal | — | — |
| Order of the Crown of the Realm | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | — | — |
| Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland | 2009 | — |
| Order of the White Rose of Finland | — | — |
| Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria | — | — |
| Order of the White Double Cross | — | — |
| Hungarian Order of Merit | — | — |
| Order of Saint Michael and Saint George | — | — |
| Order of Saint-Charles | — | — |
| Order of the Three Stars | — | — |
| Order of the National Flag | — | — |
| Order of the Sun of Peru | — | — |
| Order of the White Elephant | — | — |
| Order of the Star of Romania | — | — |