2000 Serbian local elections


Local elections were held in Serbia on 24 September 2000, concurrently with the first round of voting in the Yugoslavian general election and the 2000 Vojvodina provincial election. This was the fourth and final local electoral cycle to take place while Serbia was a member of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The 2000 Yugoslavian general election was a watershed event in Serbian politics, leading to the 5 October Revolution and resulting in the downfall of Slobodan Milošević's administration. The local elections, while less important in their own right, were part of the same general transformative moment.
To date, this was the last local electoral cycle in Serbia in which assembly delegates were elected in single-member constituencies; all subsequent cycles have been held under proportional representation. In a change from the previous cycle, delegates were elected by first-past-the-post voting rather than in run-off elections. The method of election undoubtedly contributed to the lopsided results in some opposition strongholds, including the capital Belgrade.
The Democratic Opposition of Serbia, a broad and ideologically diverse coalition of parties opposed to the Milošević administration, won significant majority victories in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, and other major cities. Candidates from the Democratic Party, one of the main parties in the coalition, claimed the mayoralties in several jurisdictions won by the DOS.

Results

Belgrade

Elections were held at the city level and in all of Belgrade's constituent municipalities. The Democratic Opposition of Serbia won a landslide victory in the election for the City Assembly of Belgrade and equally strong victories in many of the city's constituent municipalities. The alliance won every seat in three municipalities and all seats but one in three others.
The only Belgrade municipality that the DOS did not win was Sopot, where the Socialist Party of Serbia–Yugoslav Left won a majority government, helped by the presence of an incumbent mayor who was personally popular in the community.
Other than Sopot, the only municipality in Belgrade where the DOS did not win the popular vote was Lazarevac. It may be noted that the Socialist Party–Yugoslav Left alliance ran a full slate of candidates in this municipality, while the DOS refrained from fielding candidates in three divisions.

City of Belgrade

Results of the election for the City Assembly of Belgrade:
Milan St. Protić of New Serbia was chosen as mayor after the election. He resigned from the position on 20 March 2001 and was initially replaced on an interim basis by Dragan Jočić of the Democratic Party of Serbia. On 1 June 2001, Jočić was in turn replaced by Radmila Hrustanović of the Civil Alliance of Serbia.

Municipalities of Belgrade

Barajevo
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Barajevo:
Zoran Jevtić of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia was chosen as mayor after the election. He resigned on 9 February 2001 and was replaced on an interim basis by Miodrag Skoknić. After an extended period in which the municipal assembly was not convened, Dragoljub Stanić was named as the head of a provisional administration in November 2001. A new municipal election was held in 2002.
Čukarica
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Čukarica:
Incumbent mayor Zoran Alimpić of the Democratic Party was confirmed for another term in office after the election.
Grocka
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Grocka:
Vesna Ivić of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election. He was replaced by Milan Tanasković of the Democratic Party of Serbia on 28 June 2002; Tanasković was in turn replaced by Sava Starčević of the Serbian Renewal Movement on 8 December 2002. After a further period of political upheaval, Vladan Zarić of the Democratic Party became mayor on 15 April 2003.
Lazarevac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Lazarevac:
Ljiljana Zdravković of the Democratic Party became mayor of the municipality in 2001.
Mladenovac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Mladenovac:
Zoran Kostić of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election.
New Belgrade
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of New Belgrade:
Željko Ožegović of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election. Future parliamentarian Marko Đurišić, also of the Democratic Party, was elected for the municipality's seventeenth division.
Obrenovac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Obrenovac:
Petar Knezević of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia served as mayor after the election.
Palilula
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Palilula:
Milan Marković of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election.
Rakovica
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Rakovica:
Srboslav Zečević of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia was chosen as mayor after the election.
Savski Venac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Savski Venac:
Branislav Belić of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election.
Sopot
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Sopot:
Incumbent mayor Živorad Milosavljević of the Socialist Party was confirmed for another term in office after the election.
Stari Grad
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Stari Grad:
Mirjana Božidarević of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election. Nemanja Šarović ran unsuccessfully as the Radical Party's candidate in the municipality's tenth division.
Voždovac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Voždovac:
Stevan Radović of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election.
Vračar
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Vračar:
Incumbent mayor Milena Milošević of the Democratic Party was confirmed for another term in office after the election.
Zemun
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Zemun:
Vladan Janićijević of the Democratic Party became mayor after the election. Andreja Mladenović of the Democratic Party of Serbia was elected to the assembly and served as a deputy president with responsibility for sports and youth, refugees and social issues, and relations with religious communities.
Future parliamentarian Ljiljana Mihajlović ran unsuccessfully for the Radical Party in the fourth division.
Zvezdara
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Zvezdara:
Peter Moravac of the Democratic Party served as mayor after the election.
Aleksandra Tomić of the Democratic Party of Serbia was elected as the DOS's candidate in the sixteenth division. She was chosen as president of the executive board on 17 October 2000 and remained in this role until 13 June 2001, when she was re-assigned as an executive board member.

Vojvodina

North Bačka District

Elections were held in all three municipalities of the North Bačka District. The Democratic Opposition of Serbia alliance won a landslide victory in Subotica, and the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians afterward held the most important offices in the city, with members of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina also holding key positions.
The Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians fielded its own slate of candidates in Bačka Topola and Mali Iđoš and won majority victories in both jurisdictions.
Subotica
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Subotica:
When the assembly convened on 17 October 2000, incumbent mayor József Kasza and incumbent executive board president Imre Kern, both of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, were confirmed for new terms in their respective offices. Bela Tonković of the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina and Nebojša Janjić of the Democratic Party were chosen as deputy mayors.
There were several changes in the city's political leadership between 2000 and 2004. József Kasza stood down as mayor on 8 February 2001 after being appointed as a deputy prime minister of Serbia and was replaced by István Ispánovics of the VMSZ. Relations between the VMSZ and the DS subsequently worsened, and Janjić was removed as a deputy mayor in defiance of the existing coalition agreement.
Imre Kern stood down as president of the executive board on 16 May 2002 after being appointed to a position in the Vojvodina provincial government. The following day, Géza Kucsera of the VMSZ was chosen as his replacement and Saša Vučinić of the DS was chosen as a deputy mayor.
István Ispánovics resigned as mayor on 29 May 2003, citing health issues, and was replaced by Kucsera. Rumours circulated that the transition actually took place due to divisions in the VMSZ. Árpád Papp, also of the VMSZ, succeeded Kucsera as president of the executive board.
Bela Tonković was expelled from the DSHV in October 2003 and was removed as a deputy mayor on 10 November 2003.
Bačka Topola
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Bačka Topola:
Attila Bábi was chosen as mayor on 24 October 2000. Lászlo Fehér and Ágoston Deli were chosen as deputy mayors, and Aleksandar Dudás, who was not a candidate in the election, became president of the executive board. Bábi and Fehér were members of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, Deli was a member of the Democratic Fellowship of Vojvodina Hungarians, and Dudás had previously served as a legal representative of the coalition between the parties.
Mali Iđoš
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Mali Iđoš:
When the assembly convened on 24 October 2000, Béla Sipos was chosen as mayor and Károly Pál as president of the executive board. On 7 December 2000, László Horváth was chosen as deputy mayor. All were members of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians.
Béla Sipos died unexpectedly on 23 September 2001. On 27 November 2001, László Horváth was chosen as his replacement and József Rácz, also of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, was named as deputy mayor.
József Rácz resigned as deputy mayor on 7 June 2002 and was replaced by József Dudás, also of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians. Rácz later died on 5 January 2004.
On 13 February 2004, László Horváth resigned as mayor and József Dudás resigned as deputy mayor. István Szűgyi was chosen as the municipality's new mayor on the same day, and Teréz Virág was chosen as deputy mayor. Both were, of course, members of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians.

South Bačka District

Elections were held in all twelve municipalities of the South Bačka District. The Democratic Opposition of Serbia was successful in most areas, winning the Novi Sad municipal assembly in a landslide and participating on the winning side in at least seven of the eleven other municipalities.
The Socialist Party of Serbia held its historical strongholds of Bačka Palanka and Beočin and also won a narrow victory in Titel. The defeat of the Socialists in Vrbas, another of the party's historical strongholds, was considered an upset.
Independent candidates won the largest number of seats in Bački Petrovac, and independent candidate Pavel Zima was subsequently chosen as mayor of the municipality.
Novi Sad
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Novi Sad:
Borislav Novaković of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election. Former mayor Milorad Mirčić of the Radical Party sought re-election to the assembly and, like all Radical Party candidates in this cycle, was defeated.
Bač
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Bač:
Tomislav Bogunović of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election.
Bačka Palanka
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Bačka Palanka:
Zvezdan Kisić of the Socialist Party served as mayor after the election.
Bački Petrovac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Bački Petrovac:
Independent delegate Pavel Zima served as mayor after the election.
Bečej
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Bečej:
Zoran Stojšin of the Democratic Party became mayor after the election.
Beočin
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Beočin:
Dimitrije Kovačević of the Socialist Party was chosen as mayor after the election.
Srbobran
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Srbobran:
Branislav Pivnički, who was elected as a candidate of the Democratic Party, was chosen was mayor on 12 October 2000 with the support of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia and aligned representatives. Tamás Dosztán became deputy mayor, and Đorđe Kalember became president of the executive committee.
Sremski Karlovci
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Sremski Karlovci:
Đorđe Gačić of the Serbian Renewal Movement served as mayor after the election.
Temerin
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Temerin:
Although the Socialist Party–Yugoslav Left alliance won a plurality victory, the sixteen opposition delegates were able to unite to form a new local government. Petar Novak of the Democratic Party of Serbia was chosen as mayor after the election. He was succeeded by Ðuro Žiga of the same party in 2002.
Titel
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Titel:
When the assembly convened on 16 October 2000, a representative from the Socialist Party of Serbia was chosen as mayor, and a candidate co-proposed by the Socialists and the Democratic Opposition of Serbia was chosen as deputy mayor.
The local government formed after this election was not stable, and a new municipal election was held in November 2001. Milivoj Petrović of the Democratic Party was named as leader of the municipal council prior to the 2001 vote and was confirmed as mayor afterward.
Vrbas
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Vrbas:
Rafail Ruskovski of the Democratic Party served as mayor after the election. Milan Stanimirović, also of the Democratic Party, succeeded him in 2002.
Žabalj
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Žabalj:
The Serbian Renewal Movement participated in the Democratic Opposition of Serbia alliance in Žabalj, and Vasa Zlokolica of the SPO was chosen as mayor after the election.

Central Serbia (excluding Belgrade)

Mačva District

Local elections were held in all eight municipalities of the Mačva District.
In the administrative centre of Šabac, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia won a majority victory. In Loznica, the second-largest community, the Socialist Party of Serbia's alliance technically won a narrow victory, but the DOS was able to form a coalition government afterward.
The SPS alliance won a minority victory in Bogatić, the third-largest community. In the smaller communities of Koceljeva, Krupanj, Ljubovija, Mali Zvornik, and Vladimirci, the SPS alliance won majority victories.
Šabac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Šabac:
Dušan Petrović of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election.
Bogatić
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Bogatić:
Koceljeva
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Koceljeva:
Krupanj
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Krupanj:
Ljubovija
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Ljubovija:
Vidoje Jovanović of the Socialist Party of Serbia was chosen as mayor after the election.
Future parliamentarian Sreto Perić was the Serbian Radical Party's candidate for Ljubovija's twenty-first division.
Loznica
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Loznica:
The Democratic Opposition of Serbia formed government after the election, and Slobodan Kaitović of the Democratic Party became mayor.
Mali Zvornik
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Mali Zvornik:
Vladimirci
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Vladimirci:

Nišava District

Local elections were held in the City of Niš, both of Niš's constituent municipalities, and the six other municipalities of the Nišava District.
The results showed a pronounced divide between the city, where the DOS won an overwhelming victory, and its periphery, where the SPS–JUL alliance won majority victories in every jurisdiction except one.
The SPS subsequently lost its majority in Ražanj, and a temporary administration was appointed prior to [2002 Serbian local elections|a 2001 Serbian local elections|new election in 2002].
City of Niš
Results of the election for the City Assembly of Niš:
Incumbent mayor Zoran Živković of the Democratic Party was re-elected in Niš's fifty-eighth division and was initially confirmed for another term as mayor when the city assembly convened in October 2000. Živković resigned the following month after being appointed to a ministerial position in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; his successor was Goran Ćirić, also a member of the Democratic Party, who had been elected in the forty-eighth division.
Municipality of Niš
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Niš:
Vladimir Domazet of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor of the municipality after the election.
Niška Banja
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Niška Banja:
Branislav Cvetković of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor after the election. He was later succeeded by Života Stojanović.
Aleksinac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Aleksinac:
The local government proved unstable, and a new election was held in November 2001. Radoslav Pavković served as mayor after the latter election.
Doljevac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Doljevac:
Predrag Stanojević of the Socialist Party served as mayor after the election.
Gadžin Han
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Gadžin Han:
Incumbent mayor Siniša Stamenković of the Socialist Party was confirmed for another term in office after the election.
Merošina
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Merošina:
The Socialist Party remained in power after the election. Following a period of local upheaval, Socialist Party member Zoran Ristić was chosen as mayor on 13 January 2002.
Ražanj
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Ražanj:
The Socialist Party won the election, but it fell from power on 3 December 2001, when sixteen assembly members resigned. The assembly was dissolved, Životije Popović of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia was appointed as president of a provisional council, and new elections were scheduled for 2002.
Svrljig
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Svrljig:
The election resulted in a tie between the Socialists and the combined forces of the opposition. When the assembly convened Tihomir Vidanović of the Democratic Party was chosen as mayor over SPS candidate Saša Golubović. Vidanović resigned in 2004, and Golubović was chosen as his successor.

Šumadija District

Elections were held in all seven municipalities of the Šumadija District. The DOS won a somewhat unexpected majority victory in Kragujevac and also won majorities in Aranđelovac, Lapovo, and Topola. A local opposition alliance including the DOS won in Knić, and in Rača the DOS and SPO ran a combined campaign and won a landslide majority.
The SPS–JUL alliance won a narrow majority in Batočina and an incumbent mayor from the Yugoslav Left initially remained in power, but he was removed from office in 2001. The Democratic Party of Serbia won a new election in the municipality later in the same year.
Kragujevac
Results of the election for the City Assembly of Kragujevac:
Prior to the election, the local membership of the Democratic Party in Kragujevac was divided between those who favoured membership in the DOS and those who wanted to align with the "Together for Kragujevac" citizens' group led by incumbent mayor Veroljub Stevanović of the Serbian Renewal Movement. The DS board was dissolved in the middle of the campaign, and many of its members joined Stevanović's campaign.
The DOS's majority victory in the city was somewhat unexpected. Vlatko Rajković, a Democratic Party member who had aligned himself with the DOS, was chosen as mayor.
Yugoslavian parliamentarian Nataša Jovanović of the Serbian Radical Party was defeated in her bid for election in Kragujevac's fiftieth ward.
Aranđelovac
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Aranđelovac:
Radmilo Milošević of the Democratic Party of Serbia was chosen as mayor after the election.
Batočina
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Batočina:
Incumbent mayor Slobodan Živulović of the Yugoslav Left was confirmed for a new term in office after the election. An international warrant was later issued for his arrest, and he went on the run. The Serbian government introduced an administration led by Radiša Milošević of the Democratic Party, which remained in power for nine months. A new election was held in November 2001, after which time Miodrag Nikolić of the Democratic Party of Serbia served as mayor.
Knić
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Knić:
Vojin Maksimović of the United Opposition of Knić served as mayor after the election.
Lapovo
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Lapovo:
Miloš Zdravković of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia served as mayor after the election.
Rača
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Rača:
The Serbian Renewal Movement and Democratic Opposition of Serbia ran a coordinated campaign in Rača, with each group withholding candidates in certain electoral divisions to prevent vote-splitting. Slađan Radovanović of the Serbian Renewal Movement was chosen as mayor after the election.
Topola
Results of the election for the Municipal Assembly of Topola:
Miomir Tadić of New Serbia was chosen as mayor after the election.