Wikipedia

United Opposition of Serbia (1990)

The United Opposition of Serbia[a] (Serbian: Уједињена опозиција Србије, romanized: Ujedinjena opozicija Srbije, abbr. UOS) was a coalition of opposition political parties in Serbia formed in June 1990. The coalition was ideologically heterogeneous, and its membership fluctuated throughout its existence. The main members were the Democratic Party (DS) and the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO). UOS organised protests in June and September 1990, calling for multi-party elections in the first protest, and a ninety-day election campaign, more television airtime for the opposition, and representation in bodies that would oversee the 1990 Serbian parliamentary elections in the second protest.

United Opposition of Serbia
Уједињена опозиција Србије
AbbreviationUOS
Founded5 June 1990 (1990-06-05)
Dissolved22 May 1991 (1991-05-22)
Succeeded byUnited Serbian Democratic Opposition
Slogan
  • Pobedili smo!
  • ("We won!")

While each of the political parties campaigned independently in the first round of the parliamentary elections, they urged their supporters to vote for opposition candidates "regardless of their political affiliation" in the second round run-offs. Members of UOS parties won 28 out of the total 250 seats, with SPO getting 19 and DS getting 7. Following the 1990 elections, UOS organised the March 1991 protests in Belgrade as well as anti-war protests after the Yugoslav Wars broke out. The coalition was dissolved on 22 May 1991, in favour of the more nationalist-orientated United Serbian Democratic Opposition.

History

edit

Background and pre-election activities

edit

With the dissolution of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia (SKJ) after the 14th Congress, constituent republics of Yugoslavia such as Slovenia and Croatia held their first multi-party elections, paving the way for a transition to liberal democracy.[2][3][4]: 135  In Serbia, Slobodan Milošević, the president of the presidency of the Socialist Republic of Serbia, was initially opposed to the introduction of a multi-party system and free elections.[4]: 137 [1]: 52  Despite this, opposition parties began to form in late 1989 and early 1990; this included the Democratic Party (DS) and the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO).[1]: xviii–xx, 52 [5]: 51 

DS and SPO supported the adoption of a multi-party system, and on 30 May 1990 they demanded a roundtable meeting between the opposition and the government to discuss the adoption of a multi-party system and new election laws.[4]: 139 [5]: 52  On the same day, DS, SPO, Liberal Party (LS), People's Radical Party (NRS), and Social Democratic Party of Yugoslavia (SDPJ) jointly declared that they would organise a protest on 13 June.[6][7] These parties, further joined by Democratic Forum (DF) and Serbian Saint Sava Party (SSS), formed a coordination body for the planned protest, effectively creating the United Opposition of Serbia (UOS).[1]: 69 [8]: 13 [9][10]

The government responded to the demand for talks, and a roundtable was held on 8 June. At the roundtable, the opposition and the government could not agree on whether to first adopt a new constitution or organise multi-party elections; the government wanted to adopt a new constitution first.[11] The Constitutional Commission of the Assembly of SR Serbia said a day later that multi-party elections could not be held in accordance with the then-constitution of Serbia, and announced that a draft of a new constitution that would address the issue would be published in July and proclaimed in December 1990, following which multi-party elections would be held.[12]

The 13 June protest began at the Republic Square in Belgrade,[4]: 139  and was attended by between 8,000 and 70,000 people.[5]: 52 [13][14] This was the first anti-government protest in Serbia since World War II.[4]: 139  At the protest, UOS ordered that the government organise free multi-party elections and adopt a new media law.[6][15] The Radio Television of Belgrade (RTB) covered the protest negatively, and the government labelled the protest as "anti-Serbian".[7][14] The demonstrators criticised RTB's negative reporting on the opposition, and demanded the resignation of director Dušan Mitević.[16] Once the demonstrators arrived in front of the RTB building, police intervened, and demonstrators, including DS president Dragoljub Mićunović and member Borislav Pekić, were physically beaten.[4]: 140 [16]

Milošević refused to work with the opposition after the protest and unexpectedly announced on 25 June that a constitutional referendum would be held on 1 and 2 July.[4]: 140–141  The opposition wanted the referendum to be postponed until after the first multi-party elections, urging a boycott if their demands were not met.[5]: 53 [17] Despite these calls, the referendum saw a turnout of 78% and a 97% approval for the new constitution.[17][18] Shortly after the referendum, Serbia introduced a multi-party system, and the Serbian branch of SKJ was transformed into the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), with Milošević as its president.[4]: 143  The new constitution was proclaimed on 28 September and parliamentary elections were then called for 9 December.[4]: 144 [5]: 55–56 

Election activities

edit

On 12 September, UOS parties staged another protest,[5]: 55 [8]: 13  calling for a ninety-day campaign period, more television airtime, and representation on the bodies that would oversee the upcoming election.[4]: 144 [1]: 71  Members of UOS threatened to boycott the elections if these changes were not made.[5]: 55  Milošević rejected the demands.[4]: 144  Following the introduction of the new constitution, UOS parties gathered on 1 October, this time together with the People's Party (NS), to restate their call for changes.[1]: 72  However, following the meeting, UOS parties began to disagree on the question of a boycott; SPO supported it, while DS and NRS opposed it.[1]: 72–73  Mićunović said that, in case of a boycott, opposition parties would "leave a clear space for the existing government, and we would deprive our own sympathisers of the opportunity to choose" (ostavljamo čist prostor postojećoj vlasti, a sopstvene simpatizere lišavamo mogućnosti da biraju).[19]

UOS came together on the issue of an election boycott in mid-November, when most opposition parties declared one at a joint press conference after the government refused to meet their demands.[20][21] By 25 November, the number of parties declaring an election boycott had increased to approximately 40.[22][23] The government believed that a boycott would undermine international acceptance of the election results.[24] On 26 November, the government accepted the UOS's demands and the boycott was cancelled.[4]: 144 [25] The parliamentary elections for the National Assembly of Serbia were conducted under a first-past-the-post, two-round voting system with single-member constituencies.[26][27] For a candidate to be elected in the first round, they had to win at least 50% of the popular vote in their constituency.[28] The first round results on 9 December showed that Milošević's SPS won 87 out of the 250 seats outright, while UOS member parties did not win any.[29]

UOS was formalised as an ad hoc alliance for the second round of the parliamentary elections on 12 December.[30][31][32] A document under which signatories promised to run a coordinated campaign in the second round was signed by DS, SPO, NRS, NS, Union of Reform Forces of Yugoslavia in Serbia (SRSJS), People's Peasant Party (NSS), Association for the Yugoslav Democratic Initiative (UJDI), and New Democracy – Movement for Serbia.[30][33][34] Signatory parties campaigned under the slogan "We won!" (Pobedili smo!).[32] In the second round, the candidate with the most votes in each constituency would win the seat.[28] While the UOS parties campaigned together, each of their candidates was still listed under the name of their respective party. In the end, Milošević's SPS won 194 out of the 250 seats in the National Assembly, while UOS members won just 28 seats: 19 for SPO, 7 for DS, and 1 each for NSS and UJDI.[32][35]

Post-election activities

edit
 
UOS organised the 9–14 March 1991 protests in Belgrade

Following the elections, UOS organised mass protests in March 1991. This was primarily led by SPO.[36][37][38] Protesters called for the resignation of senior officials of RTB.[36][39] The government sought to have the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) intervene and break up the protest. Borisav Jović, the president of the collective presidency of Yugoslavia, was tasked with persuading other constituent republics to permit such an intervention. Jović claimed that demonstrators were trying to take over the Yugoslav General Staff building, and that the police were unable to manage the protest. Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were opposed to JNA intervention, while Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Vojvodina were in favour. Yugoslav Minister of Defence Veljko Kadijević eventually allowed JNA to intervene in the protests, and tanks were brought to the streets of Belgrade for the first time since 20 October 1944.[40] Amidst the protests, Vuk Drašković, the president of SPO, was detained.[1]: 82  Drašković was set free on 12 March, part of a series of prisoner releases that helped lead to an end to the protests on 14 March.[1]: 84–85 [36]

By 20 March 1991, DS, SPO, DF, NSS, SRSJS, and UDJI were participating in UOS.[41] UOS organised another protest on 27 March, demanding snap elections and a change of government.[42][43] In an opinion poll conducted by the Institute for Political Studies after the protests, UOS had 49% of support in Belgrade, while SPS only had 29% of support; the protests contributed to their rise in popularity. This was a shift from the 1990 parliamentary elections, where UOS parties received 31% of the popular vote in Belgrade while SPS received 34%. The increase in UOS support was primarily driven by the 9–14 March protests.[44] In late May, talks among UOS members, in addition to the newly-formed Serbian Liberal Party, began regarding the formation of a "new, stronger alliance" (novog, čvršćeg saveza) that would be more Serbian nationalist-oriented, which would be called the United Serbian Democratic Opposition (USDO). This resulted in the exclusion of the Yugoslav UJDI and leftist NSS from the coalition.[45] UOS was succeeded by USDO on 22 May.[1]: 89 

Organisation

edit

Ideology and platform

edit

UOS was an ideologically heterogeneous grouping, united by the goal of bringing about multi-party politics, and opposition to ruling SPS.[5]: 60 [46] Their programme during the 1990 election advocated the implementation of a parliamentary system of governance and a proportional representation electoral system.[5]: 60  All UOS parties called for their voters to vote for opposition candidates in the second round "regardless of their political affiliation" (nezavisno od njegove stranačke pripadnosti).[33][47] Following the beginning of the Yugoslav Wars in 1991, UOS organised anti-war protests.[48][49] In a March 1991 opinion poll, a majority of students, the educated, the unemployed, and private and public sector workers preferred UOS over SPS.[44]

Members

edit

The parties participating in the UOS fluctuated throughout its existence. The following table lists political parties that were affiliated with UOS at some point between June 1990 and May 1991.[1]: 69, 72 [7][33]

List of political parties affiliated with UOS
Name
Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO)
Democratic Party (DS)
Liberal Party (LS)
People's Radical Party (NRS)
Social Democratic Party of Yugoslavia (SDPJ)
Democratic Forum (DF)
Serbian Saint Sava Party (SSSS)
People's Party (NS)
Union of Reform Forces of Yugoslavia in Serbia (SRSJS)
People's Peasant Party (NSS)
Association for the Yugoslav Democratic Initiative (UJDI)
New Democracy – Movement for Serbia (ND)

Electoral performance

edit

Parliamentary elections

edit
National Assembly
Year Political party Popular vote % of popular vote # # of seats Seat change Status Ref.
1990 SPO 794,786 16.49%   2nd
19 / 250
   19 Opposition [35][50]
DS 374,887 7.78%   3rd
7 / 250
   7 Opposition
NSS 68,045 1.41%   7th
1 / 250
   1 Opposition
ND 67,356 1.40%   8th
0 / 250
   0 Extra-parliamentary
NRS 63,041 1.31%   9th
0 / 250
   0 Extra-parliamentary
SRSJS 27,358 0.57%   14th
0 / 250
   0 Extra-parliamentary
UJDI 24,982 0.52%   15th
1 / 250
   1 Opposition

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Also translated as Associated Opposition of Serbia.[1]: 69 

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Thomas, Robert (1998). Serbia under Milošević: Politics in the 1990s (1 ed.). London: C. Hurst & Co. ISBN 978-1-85065-367-7.
  2. ^ "Yugoslav Republic Holds First Free Postwar Vote; Race Keyed by Secession, Economic Issues". The Washington Post. 9 April 1990. pp. A14. ProQuest 307237768. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Croatians Vote in Final Round As Independence Party Leads". The New York Times. 6 May 1990. pp. A8. ProQuest 108566147. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Nikolić, Kosta (2011). "Obnavljanje parlamentarnog poretka u Srbiji 1990" [Restoration of the parliamentary order in Serbia in 1990]. Tokovi Istorije (in Serbian) (2). ISSN 0354-6497.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ribić, Vladimir (2013). "Akciona osnova političke mobilizacije srpske opozicije u 1990. godini" [Action basis of the political mobilisation of the Serbian opposition in 1990]. Antropologija (in Serbian). 13 (3). ISSN 1452-7243.
  6. ^ a b "Vuk na Trgu Republike" [Vuk at the Republic Square]. Borba (in Serbian). 31 May 1990. p. 5. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Kojić, Nikola (10 February 2020). "Izbori 1990: Rekordna izlaznost, glumački okršaj i istorijska pobeda socijalista" [1990 elections: Record turnout, clashes and historic victory of the Socialists]. N1 (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b Sotirović, Vladislav B. (2010). "The Multiparty Elections in Serbia in 1990". Politikos mokslų almanachas. 1 (6). ISSN 2029-0225.
  9. ^ Radosavljević, Vladan (1997). Politički vodič kroz Jugoslaviju [Political guide through Yugoslavia] (in Serbian). Belgrade: Medija centar. p. 25. ISBN 978-86-82827-08-5.
  10. ^ Milošević, Milan (2000). Politički vodič kroz Srbiju [Political guide through Serbia] (in Serbian). Belgrade: Medija centar. p. 166. ISBN 978-86-82827-13-9.
  11. ^ Radovanović, I. (9–10 June 1990). "Stranke dobile – sto" [Parties got – a table]. Borba (in Serbian). p. 12. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  12. ^ Šverko, D. (11 June 1990). "Izbori tek dogodine" [Elections by the end of the year]. Borba (in Serbian). p. 3. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  13. ^ Williams, Carol J. (14 June 1990). "Soldiers Fire on Protesters as Romania Erupts Again". Los Angeles Times. p. 1. ProQuest 281163843. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  14. ^ a b Fish, Jim (14 June 1990). "Protesters Demand Free Serbian Vote; Tens of Thousands Denounce Ruling Communist Party, President Milosevic". The Washington Post. pp. A32. ProQuest 307308731. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Povorka za izbore" [Election procession]. Borba (in Serbian). 14 June 1990. p. 1. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  16. ^ a b Stojanović, Siniša (14 June 1990). "Tvrd "doček" za opoziciju" [A hard "welcome" for the opposition]. Borba (in Serbian). p. 14. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  17. ^ a b Lekić, Slobodan (5 July 1990). "Yugoslavs vote to dissolve legislature". New Mexico Gallup Independent, Associated Press. p. 12. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  18. ^ Ignjatović, Časlav (3 July 1990). "Izveštaj o rezultatima izjašnjavanja građana u Socijalističkoj Republici Srbiji na republičkom referendumu, održanom 1. i 2. jula 1990. godine, radi potvrđivanja odluke Skupštine Socijalističke Republike Srbije da se donese novi Ustav SR Srbije" [Report on the results of the declaration of citizens in the Socialist Republic of Serbia at the republican referendum, held on 1 and 2 July 1990, in order to confirm the decision of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Serbia to adopt a new Constitution of the SR of Serbia]. Official Gazette of the Socialist Republic of Serbia (in Serbian). 35: 1324. ISSN 0351-5613. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  19. ^ Drčelić, Zora (14 March 2012). "Kanabe nas je održalo" [Kanabe kept us going]. Vreme (in Serbian). Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  20. ^ Radovanović, I.; Katić, G.; Šutalo, M. (24–25 November 1990). "Opozicija bojkotuje izbore!" [The opposition is boycotting the elections!]. Borba (in Serbian). p. 13. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  21. ^ Dedeić, Siniša (16 December 2010). "Izbori kao "lutkarsko pozorište"" [Elections as a "puppet theater"]. Istinomer (in Serbian). Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Serbian Communists panic at mass boycott of election". Toronto Star. 27 November 1990. pp. A15. ProQuest 436291369. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Može li Skupština promeniti odluku" [Can the Assembly change the decision?]. Borba (in Serbian). 26 November 1990. p. 1. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  24. ^ Dedeić, Siniša (17 December 2020). "U redu – evo vam amandmani!" [OK – here are the amendments!]. Istinomer (in Serbian). Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  25. ^ Milošević, Milan; Ninčić, Roksanda; Mladenović, Filip; Cerović, Stojan (8 October 2019). "Srbija u poslednjoj jednopartijskoj nedelji" [Serbia in the last one-party week]. Vreme (in Serbian). Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Prvi višestranački izbori (1990)" [First multi-party elections (1990)]. B92 (in Serbian). 9 March 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  27. ^ Orlović, Slaviša (2011). Partije i izbori u Srbiji: 20 godina [Parties and elections in Serbia: 20 years] (in Serbian) (1 ed.). Belgrade: Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Faculty of Political Sciences, Centre for Democracy. p. 233. ISBN 978-86-84031-49-7. OCLC 785849369.
  28. ^ a b Novaković, G. (22 January 2009). "Od 250 do jedne izborne jedinice" [From 250 to one electoral constituency]. Politika (in Serbian). Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Trijumf u prvom krugu" [Triumph in the first round]. Borba (in Serbian). 13 December 1990. p. 2. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  30. ^ a b Grihović, M.; Radovanović, I. (13 December 1990). "Svi u koaliciju" [Everyone in the coalition]. Borba (in Serbian). p. 2. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  31. ^ Đurić, Nešo (12 December 1990). "Opposition mounts united effort to block communist majority". United Press International. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  32. ^ a b c "Izborne prevare" [Electoral fraud]. NIN (in Serbian). 24 February 2000. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  33. ^ a b c Kojić, Nikola (17 April 2023). "Kad se opozicija ujedini: Sve opozicione koalicije u Srbiji od 1990. godine" [When the opposition unites: All opposition coalitions in Serbia since 1990]. N1 (in Serbian). Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Država pod sumnjom" [State under suspicion]. Vreme (in Serbian). 24 December 1990. p. 43.
  35. ^ a b Mihailović, Srećko; Goati, Vladimir; Baćević, Ljiljana; Džuverović, Borisav; Pegan, Sergije; Vujović Brdarević, Jasmina (1991). Od izbornih rituala do slobodnih izbora: sondaža javnog mnjenja uoči prvih višestranačkih izbora u Srbiji [From election rituals to free elections: public opinion poll ahead of the first multi-party elections in Serbia] (in Serbian) (1 ed.). Belgrade: University of Belgrade, Institute of Social Sciences, Centre for Political Research and Public Opinion. pp. 280–281. ISBN 978-86-7093-042-1.
  36. ^ a b c Kojić, Nikola (18 February 2020). "Izbori 1992: Prvi Šešeljev milion, Arkan u parlamentu i manjinska vlada SPS" [1992 elections: Šešelj's first million, Arkan in the Parliament and SPS minority government]. N1 (in Serbian). Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Zakazan novi miting" [A new meeting is scheduled]. Borba (in Serbian). 13 March 1991. p. 11. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  38. ^ Klarin, Mirko (18 April 1991). "Juriš na topčidersku Bastilju" [Storming of the Topčider Bastille]. Borba (in Serbian). p. 2. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  39. ^ "U Beogradu, 9. marta 1991. održane prve masovne demonstracije protiv Miloševićevog režima" [In Belgrade, on 9 March 1991, the first mass demonstrations against the Milošević regime were held]. Novinska agencija Beta (in Serbian). 9 March 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  40. ^ Vasić, Miloš (9 March 2011). "Kako je bilo i urbane legende" [How it was and urban legends]. Vreme (in Serbian). Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  41. ^ "Srbija mora u Predsedništvo" [Serbia must join the Presidency]. Borba (in Serbian). 20 March 1991. p. 7. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  42. ^ Dedeić, Siniša (29 March 2011). ""Ko u slobodu veruje, taj je i donosi" (11. deo)" ["Whoever believes in freedom brings it" (part 11)]. Istinomer (in Serbian). Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Čas istorije" [A history lesson]. Borba (in Serbian). 28 March 1991. p. 6. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  44. ^ a b "Stariji uz vlast, mlađi uz opoziciju" [Elders with the government, youth with the opposition]. Borba (in Serbian). 1 April 1991. pp. 14–15. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  45. ^ Lekić, S.; Radovanović, I. (20 May 1991). "Novi savez ili razlaz" [A new alliance or a split]. Borba (in Serbian). p. 5. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  46. ^ Landay, Jonathan S. (23 December 1990). "Serbian opposition hoping to block communist majority". United Press International. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  47. ^ Đurić, Nešo (12 December 1990). "Opposition mounts united effort to block communist majority". United Press International. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  48. ^ Simonović, V.; Radovanović, I. (8 May 1991). "Naša deca u njihovom ratu" [Our children in their war]. Borba (in Serbian). p. 13. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  49. ^ "Mir uz ratne pripreme" [Peace with preparations for war]. Borba (in Serbian). 10 May 1991. p. 26. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  50. ^ "Izbori 1990.: Konačni rezultati izbora za predsednika republike i narodne poslanike" [1990 elections: Final results of the elections for the president of the republic and deputies] (PDF) (in Serbian). Belgrade: Republic Bureau of Statistics. 30 January 1991. p. 4. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=United_Opposition_of_Serbia_(1990)&oldid=1250295164"