Boris Tadic President of Serbia, Chairman of the Democratic Party Date of Birth: 15.01.1958

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Activism
3. Political Career
4. Leadership of the Democratic Party
5. Presidency
6. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Boris Tadić was born on January 15, 1958, in Sarajevo, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. His father was a renowned dissident, philosopher, and professor at the University of Belgrade.

Tadić completed his primary and secondary education in Belgrade. He then graduated with a degree in clinical psychology from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Belgrade. During his time as a student, he was involved in journalism, working as a contributor to Belgrade's Radio Index and as a street vendor for newspapers and magazines.

Political Activism

Tadić's involvement in politics began as a student, when he participated in opposition demonstrations against the Yugoslav government. He was arrested on several occasions during the 1980s. It was during this time that he met the philosopher Zoran Đinđić, who became one of the founders of the Democratic Party in 1989. Tadić joined the party in 1990.

Political Career

In 1994, Tadić was elected to the Parliament of Serbia. Đinđić became the party's leader in the same year. Tadić held various positions within the party, including Secretary of the Central Committee, Member of the Executive Committee, and Deputy Chairman.

Tadić emerged as a prominent figure in Serbian politics following the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000. After the "Bulldozer Revolution," Vojislav Koštunica became the new President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and Đinđić became Prime Minister. From November 2000 to June 2001, Tadić served as Minister of Telecommunications of Yugoslavia.

Leadership of the Democratic Party

In March 2003, Tadić assumed the leadership of the party after Đinđić was assassinated. He was elected as the party's chairman on February 22, 2004, and resigned as Minister of Defense of Serbia and Montenegro on April 15, 2004.

Presidency

Tadić was nominated as the Democratic Party's candidate in the 2004 Serbian presidential election. In the first round of voting, he finished second behind Tomislav Nikolić of the Serbian Radical Party. However, in the second round, Tadić emerged victorious and was elected as President of Serbia on June 27, 2004.

During his presidency, Tadić advocated for Serbia's accession to the European Union and NATO's Partnership for Peace program. He also cooperated with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, recognizing the need to hand over General Ratko Mladić and other Serbs accused of war crimes. However, he also supported retaining the autonomous province of Kosovo within Serbia.

Tadić was re-elected to a second term in 2008. He led the country through a period of economic and political challenges, including the 2008 global financial crisis and the independence of Kosovo. Tadić's presidency concluded in 2012.

Personal Life

Tadić is married to Tatjana and has two children, Maša and Ivan. He is fluent in English and French.