Dragan Đilas

Dragan Đilas, born on February twenty-second, nineteen sixty-seven, in Belgrade, is a prominent Serbian opposition leader, businessman, and media executive. He has been at the helm of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP) since its inception in April two thousand nineteen. His political journey includes a notable tenure as the mayor of Belgrade from two thousand eight to two thousand thirteen and a leadership role in the Basketball Federation of Serbia from two thousand eleven to two thousand sixteen.

A graduate of the University of Belgrade, Đilas began his career in journalism, co-founding Radio B92 in nineteen eighty-nine and later serving as editor of its news program. He gained national prominence in nineteen ninety-one as a student leader during the protests against Slobodan Milošević. Transitioning from journalism to business, he became the media director at Saatchi & Saatchi in nineteen ninety-four, establishing a successful career in media and marketing.

Đilas entered the political arena in the early two thousands, closely aligning with President Boris Tadić. His political roles included serving as the director of the People's Office of the President from two thousand four to two thousand seven and as a minister without portfolio overseeing the National Investment Plan in the second cabinet of Vojislav Koštunica from two thousand seven to two thousand eight. He led the Democratic Party from two thousand twelve until May two thousand fourteen, resigning after disappointing electoral results.

As mayor, Đilas was instrumental in several key infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Ada Bridge and the implementation of the BusPlus ticketing system. After a brief hiatus from politics, he re-emerged in two thousand eighteen as an opposition candidate in the Belgrade City Assembly election, co-founding the opposition coalition Alliance for Serbia before establishing the Party of Freedom and Justice.

Regarded as a polarizing figure in Serbian politics, Đilas is viewed by supporters as a capable leader advocating for a pro-European and reformist agenda. However, critics often label him as part of the old political elite, accusing him of corruption and misuse of office, allegations he firmly denies.