Political Causes: Constitutional Reforms (1989-1994)
Slobodan Milosevic’s Rise to Power in Serbia (1986–1989)
- Turning point in Yugoslav politics
- Milosevic’s ascent marked a major shift in Yugoslavia.
- He openly embraced Serbian nationalism, something Tito had deliberately suppressed.
- To centralize control, he relied on mass rallies, media propaganda, and political purges (see more information on Milosevic in the corresponding section).
- Anti-bureaucratic revolution
- Milosevic replaced leaders in Vojvodina, Kosovo, and Montenegro with loyalists.
- This gave Serbia four votes in the eight-member federal presidency.
- The move was essential to his goal of establishing Serbian dominance within Yugoslavia.
The Structure of Executive Power in Yugoslavia
- 1974 Constitution and power-sharing
- Yugoslavia adopted a collective leadership system instead of a single president.
- Power was designed to be shared equally among the six republics (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Serbia) and two autonomous provinces within Serbia (Vojvodina and Kosovo).
- Federal presidency
- Each of these eight units had one representative in the presidency.
- This meant the presidency was made up of eight members, each with one equal vote.
- It functioned as a collective head of state, with a rotating chairmanship.
- Major decisions had to be made by consensus or majority vote.
- Milošević’s disruption of balance
- After taking control of Serbia, Milošević installed allies in Kosovo, Vojvodina, and Montenegro.
- This gave Serbia control of over four out of the eight votes.
- The shift created a powerful bloc, upset the federal balance, and alarmed other republics, fueling Yugoslavia’s political unraveling.
Milosevic’s “Yogurt Revolution” and Moves in Kosovo (1988–1989)
- The Yogurt Revolution in Vojvodina (1988)
- Milosevic orchestrated a populist movement in Vojvodina, culminating in the removal of its leadership.
- Protesters symbolically threw yogurt at the provincial parliament, giving the movement its name.
- This was part of Milosevic’s calculated campaign to centralize power by weakening Yugoslavia’s federal structure.
- By replacing autonomous leaders in Vojvodina with loyalists, Milosevic gained an additional vote in the eight-member federal presidency. This was an essential step in his plan to dominate Yugoslav politics.
- Populist framing and Serbian nationalism
- Milosevic portrayed these interventions as a response to grassroots demands for Serbian unity and justice.
- He used populist imagery and rhetoric to legitimize his authoritarian ambitions.
- The “Yogurt Revolution” became a symbol of Serbian resurgence, supported by state media and heavily choreographed demonstrations.
