What position did Aleksandar Vučić take from Jun 2006 to Jun 2007?
Aleksandar Vučić Aleksandar Vučić ( , ; born 5 March 1970 ) is a Serbian politician serving as the president of Serbia since 2017 and as the president of the populist Serbian Progressive Party ( SNS ) since 2012 . Vučić served as the Prime Minister of Serbia in two terms , from 2014 to 2016 and from 2016 until 2017 , as well as the deputy prime minister from 2012 until 2014 . Furthermore , Vučić served as a member of the Serbian parliament , Minister of Information from 1998 to 2000 , and later as Minister of Defence from 2012 to 2013 . In April 2017 , Vučić was elected president with over 55% of the vote in the first round , thus avoiding a second round . He formally assumed office on 31 May 2017 , succeeding Tomislav Nikolić . His ceremonial inauguration ceremony was held on 23 June 2017 . As Minister of Information under the Slobodan Milošević administration , he introduced restrictive measures against journalists , especially during the Kosovo War . In the period after the Bulldozer Revolution , Vučić was one of the most prominent figures of the opposition . Since the establishment of the new party in 2008 , he shifted away from his original far-right and hard Eurosceptic platform toward pro-European , conservative and populist political positions . The SNS-led coalition won the 2012 election and the Serbian Progressive Party became part of the government for the first time , leading to the establishment of the dominant-party system . After Vučić became the head of government in 2014 , he promised to continue to follow the accession process to the European Union ( EU ) by privatizing state businesses and liberalizing the economy . In December 2015 , the EU opened first chapters during the accession conference with the Serbian delegation led by Vučić . He is one of the crucial figures in cooperation and EU-mediated dialogue between the governments of Kosovo and Serbia , advocating the implementation of the Brussels Agreement on the normalization of their relations . Following United States-mediated negotiations , Vučić signed an agreement in September 2020 to normalize economic relations with Kosovo , but also to move the Serbian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem . He is one of the initiators of Mini Schengen Zone , an economic zone of the Western Balkans countries intended to guarantee four freedoms . Observers have described Vučićs rule as an authoritarian , autocratic or illiberal democratic regime , citing curtailed press freedom . Early life and education . Aleksandar Vučić was born in Belgrade to Anđelko Vučić and Angelina Milovanov . He has a younger brother , Andrej . His paternal ancestors came from Čipuljić , near Bugojno , in central Bosnia . They were expelled by the Croatian fascists ( Ustaše ) during World War II and settled near Belgrade , where his father was born . According to Vučić , his paternal grandfather Anđelko and tens of other close relatives were killed by the Ustaše . His mother was born in Bečej in Vojvodina . Both of his parents were economics graduates . His father worked as an economist , and his mother as a journalist . Vučić was raised in New Belgrade , where he attended the Branko Radičević elementary school , and later a gymnasium in Zemun . He graduated from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law . He learned English in Brighton , England , and worked as a merchant in London for some time . After returning to Yugoslavia , he worked as a journalist in Pale , Bosnia and Herzegovina . There , he interviewed politician Radovan Karadžić and once played chess with general Ratko Mladić . As a youngster , Vučić was a fan of Red Star Belgrade , often attending their matches , including the one played between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star on 13 May 1990 , which turned into a huge riot . The homes of his relatives were destroyed in the Bosnian War . Political career . Vučić joined the Serbian Radical Party ( SRS ) in 1993 , a far right party whose core ideology is based on Serbian nationalism and the goal of creating a Greater Serbia , and was elected to the National Assembly following the 1993 parliamentary election . Two years later , Vučić became secretary-general of the SRS . He was one of the SRSs volunteers who visited the army that kept Sarajevo under the siege . After his party won the local elections in Zemun in 1996 , he became the director of Pinki Hall , which was his first employment . Minister of Information ( 1998–2000 ) . In March 1998 , Vučić was appointed Minister of Information in the government of Mirko Marjanović . Scholars described Vučić as the crucial figure in the shaping of turn-of-the century media policies in Serbia . Following rising resentment against Milošević , Vučić introduced fines for journalists who criticized the government and banned foreign TV networks . He recalled in 2014 that he was wrong and had changed , stating I was not ashamed to confess all my political mistakes . During this period , Serbian media was accused for broadcasting Serbian nationalist propaganda , which demonized ethnic minorities and legitimized Serb atrocities against them . In 1998 , the government adopted Europes most restrictive media law by the end of the 20th century , which created a special misdemeanor court to try violations . It had the ability to impose heavy fines and to confiscate property if they were not immediately paid . Serbian media were under severe repression of the state , and that foreign media had been seen as foreign elements and spies . Human Rights Watch reported that five independent newspaper editors were charged with disseminating misinformation because they referred to Albanians who had died in Kosovo as people rather than terrorists . The government crackdown on independent media intensified when NATO forces were threatening intervention in Kosovo in late September and early October 1998 . Furthermore , the government also maintained direct control of state radio and television , which provided news for the majority of the population . After the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia began in March 1999 , Vučić called for a meeting of all Belgrades editors . Print media were ordered to submit all copies to the Ministry for approval and they were allowed to publish only official statements and information taken from media outlets , which either are controlled by the state or practice radical self-censorship . Also , Vučić ordered all NATO countries journalists to leave the country . Radical Party to Progressive Party . Tomislav Nikolić , deputy leader of the Radical Party and de facto interim leader due to absence of Vojislav Šešelj , resigned on 6 September 2008 because of disagreement with Šešelj over the partys support for Serbias EU membership . With some other well-known Radical Party members he formed a new parliamentary club called Napred Srbijo ! ( Forward Serbia! ) . On 12 September 2008 Nikolić and his group were officially ejected from the Radical Party on the session of SRS leadership . Vučić , as secretary-general was called to attend this session , but he did not appear . Tomislav Nikolić announced he would form his own party and called Vučić to join . Vučić , one of the most popular figures among SRS supporters , resigned from Radical Party on 14 September 2008 . The next day , Vučić announced his temporary withdrawal from politics . On 6 October 2008 , Vučić confirmed in a TV interview that he was to join the newly formed Nikolićs Serbian Progressive Party ( SNS ) and that he would be the Deputy President of the party . He then seemed to change his positions . In 2010 he made statements such as a horrible crime was committed in Srebrenica , saying he felt ashamed of the Serbs who did it . I do not hide that I have changed.. . I am proud of that , he told AFP in an interview in 2012 . I was wrong , I thought I was doing the best for my country , but I saw the results and we failed , We need to admit that . Nikolić stepped down as party leader on 24 May 2012 following his election as President of Serbia . Vučić assumed leadership until the next party congress is held to elect a new leader . On 29 September 2012 Vučić was elected as party leader , with Jorgovanka Tabaković as his deputy . Minister of Defence and First Deputy Prime Minister ( 2012–2014 ) . Vučić briefly served as Minister of Defence and First Deputy Prime Minister from July 2012 to August 2013 , when he stepped down from his position of Defence Minister in a cabinet reshuffle . Although the Prime Minister , Ivica Dačić Deba , held formal power as head-of-government , many analysts thought that Vučić had the most influence in government as head of the largest party in the governing coalition and parliament . Prime Minister ( 2014–2017 ) . 2014 parliamentary election . As a result of the 2014 parliamentary election , Vučićs Serbian Progressive Party won 158 out of 250 seats in Parliament and formed a ruling coalition with the Socialist Party of Serbia . Vučić was elected Prime Minister of Serbia . 2016 parliamentary election . At a party conference of his ruling Serbian Progressive Party , Vučić announced early general elections , citing that : He wants to ensure that the country has stable rule that its current political direction will continue – including its attempt to secure membership of the EU . On 4 March 2016 , Serbian President , Tomislav Nikolić , dissolved the parliament , scheduling early elections for 24 April . The ruling coalition around Vučićs SNS obtained 48.25% of the vote . Vučićs ruling SNS retained majority in the parliament , despite winning less seats than in 2014 parliamentary election . The coalition around SNS won 131 seats , 98 of which belong to SNS . 2017 presidential election . Vučić announced his candidacy in the presidential election on 14 February 2017 , despite earlier statements that he would not run . According to the Constitution , Serbia is a parliamentary republic in which the presidency is largely ceremonial with no significant executive power . After initial speculations that the incumbent president , Tomislav Nikolić , would also run , he backed Vučić and his ruling SNS party . Vučić won the election in the first round , having obtained 56.01 percent of the vote . The independent candidate , Saša Janković was second with 16.63 percent , ahead of satirical politician Luka Maksimović and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremić . This public opinion survey , carried out by CeSID , showed that significant proportions of Vučić supporters are composed of pensioners ( 41% ) and that a large majority ( 63% ) hold secondary education degrees , while 21% have less than a high school degree . President ( 2017–present ) . The election result sparked protests around Serbia . Thousands of protesters accused Vučić of leading the country towards authoritarianism . Protesters organised the rallies through social networks and insist they are not linked to any party or politician , and demand a total overhaul of what they call corrupt political , business and media systems that serve an elite led by Mr Vučić . Vučić maintained that the protests were organized by his political opponents who expected the dictator would bring the police into the streets . However , Vučić was sworn in as President of Serbia on 31 May , in front of Parliament . He promised to continue with reforms and said Serbia will remain on a European path . He also said Serbia will maintain military neutrality , but continue to build partnerships with both NATO and Russia . After becoming president , Vučić disbanded the traditional police security service responsible for Presidents protection , and replaced it with members of the Cobras , military police unit which contrary to the law , protected him while he served as the Prime Minister from 2014 to 2017 . Since late 2018 and into early 2019 , thousands of Serbians have taken to the streets to protest the presidency of Vučić . The protesters charge that Vučić and the SNS are corrupt and that Vučić is trying to cement himself as an autocrat , which he denies . In 2019 , Freedom House report that Serbias status declined from Free to Partly Free due to deterioration in the conduct of elections , continued attempts by the government and allied media outlets to undermine independent journalists through legal harassment and smear campaigns , and Vučićs accumulation of executive powers that conflict with his constitutional role . After Vučićs announcement of the reintroduction of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic , thousands of people protested , accusing the government of missteps in handling of the pandemic , including the premature lifting of restrictions and downplaying the risk to hold the elections . Some analysts said that they had not witnessed police violence in Serbia since the Slobodan Miloševićs regime . In March 2021 Vučić visited Bahrain , making him the first Serbian president to visit the country . According to Amnesty Internationals annual report for 2021 , Vučićs mandate is characterised by human rights violations , restrictions on freedom of expression and campaigns of harassment against the opposition figures , journalists and media outlets . Policies . Economy . After his election as Prime Minister in 2014 , Vučić promoted austerity-based economic policies , whose aim was to reduce Serbias budget deficit . Vučićs policy of fiscal consolidation was primarily aimed at cuts in the public sector . One of the measures was the reduction of pensions and salaries in the public sector as well as a ban on further employment in the public sector . Vučić announced that his reform based policies have reduced countrys deficit , and contributed to financial stability . However , criticism of Vučićs economic policy stated that his measures have not overall contributed to economic recovery , but have instead caused a further decline in living standard . On 23 February 2015 , Vučićs government has concluded a three-year stand-by arrangement with the IMF worth €1.2 billion as a precautionary measure to secure the countrys long term fiscal stability . The IMF has praised the reforms as has the EU calling them one of the most successful programmes the IMF has ever had . The GDP of Serbia has surpassed the pre crisis of 2008 levels as have the salaries . The economic prospects are good with GDP growth rising above 3% and the debt to GDP ratio falling below 68% Fight against corruption and organized crime . Vučić has pledged to tackle corruption and organized crime in Serbia . He also vowed to investigate controversial privatizations and ties between tycoons and former government members . Vučićs anti-corruption drive has recorded a 71 per cent personal approval rating in a March 2013 opinion poll , though in more than two years it produced no convictions and only a handful of arrests . On the other hand , data from the Transparency International showed that a significant increase in perceived corruption was seen exactly from 2012 , when Vučić came into power . According to research conducted by the Centre for Investigative Journalism , the battle against corruption in practice comes down to media announcements and arrests in front of cameras . They are followed by a large number of criminal charges , significantly fewer indictments , and even fewer convictions . EU and Immigration policy . During the 2015 – 2016 European migrant crisis , Vučić strongly aligned himself with the policies of the German Chancellor , Angela Merkel , and publicly praised German migration policy . Vučić also stated that Serbia will cooperate with the EU in solving the migrant stream going from the Middle East to EU member countries through the Balkan route , and that Serbia will be ready to take some portion of the migrants . Serbia will receive a certain number of migrants . This makes us more European than some member states . We dont build fences , Vučić wrote on Twitter , while criticizing the migrant policies of some EU member countries . Kosovo question . Vučić has been central to negotiations on Serbias bid for EU accession , traveling to Brussels for talks with the EUs Foreign Affairs High Commissioner , Baroness Ashton , as well as to North Kosovska Mitrovica to discuss the details of a political settlement between Belgrade and Pristina . During his visit to northern Kosovo , to garner support for the Brussels-brokered deal , he urged Kosovo Serbs to leave the past and think about the future . In 2017 , Vučić accused EU of hypocrisy and double standards over its very different attitude to separatist crises in Kosovo and Catalonia . In September 2018 in a speech to Kosovo Serbs he stated : Slobodan Milošević was a great Serbian leader , he had the best intentions , but our results were far worse . Journalists report that Vučić advocates the partition of Kosovo , in what he calls ethnic demarcation with Albanians . On 27 May 2019 , during a special session of the Serbian parliament on Kosovo , Vučić said that We need to recognize that we have been defeated.. . We lost the territory , while also criticizing the unprincipled attitude of great powers and no one reacting to announcements for the formation of a Greater Albania . He stated that Serbia no longer controlled Kosovo and that a compromise was needed on the issue through a future referendum in the country . Vučić has close links to the Serb List and he invited Kosovo Serbs to vote for them in the elections . On 20 January 2020 , Serbia and Kosovo agreed to restore flights between their capitals for the first time in more than two decades . The deal came after months of diplomatic talks by Richard Grenell , the United States ambassador to Germany , who was named special envoy for Serbia-Kosovo relations by President Donald Trump the year before . Vućić welcomed the flights agreement and tweeted his thanks to American diplomats . On 4 September 2020 Serbia and Kosovo signed an agreement at the White House in Washington D.C. , in the presence of US President Donald Trump . In addition to the economic agreement , Serbia agreed to move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv starting in June 2021 and Israel and Kosovo agreed to mutually recognise each other . Mini Schengen Zone . On 10 October 2019 , together with Edi Rama , Prime Minister of Albania , and Zoran Zaev , Prime Minister of North Macedonia , Vučić signed the so-called Mini Schengen deal on regional economic cooperation , including on the free movement of goods , capital , services , and labour between their three countries , while they await progress on EU enlargement . A month later , the leaders presented a set of proposals to achieve the four freedoms and the first steps towards them , including the possibility to the open border area . In December , the three leaders also met with Milo Đukanović , President of Montenegro , opening the possibility for the country to join the zone . Following the 2020 Kosovo and Serbia economic agreement the two sides pledged to join the Mini Schengen Zone . Relations with Croatia . In 2007 Vučić stated that the Democratic League of Croats in Vojvodina is a branch of the Croatian Democratic Union . In 2008 , with the establishment of the Serbian Progressive Party , Vučić said that the goal of a Greater Serbia taking Croatian territory up to the proposed Virovitica-Karlovac-Karlobag line is unrealistic and silly . The Croatian newspaper Jutarnji list claimed in a reportage that none of his family members had been killed during World War II , upon which he replied that these were brutal lies and attacks on his family . During 2015 and 2016 , relations between Croatia and Serbia were further affected by to the ongoing migrant crisis , when Croatia decided to close its border with Serbia . In September 2015 , Croatia barred all cargo traffic from Serbia , due to the migrant influx coming from Serbia in a move which further eroded the fragile relations between the two countries . In response to these actions , Vučić announced that counter measures will be enacted if an agreement with Croatia is not reached . The dispute was eventually resolved through the mediation of the EU Commission , yet the relations between the two neighboring countries remain fragile . On 31 March 2016 , Vojislav Seselj , leader of the Serbian Radical Party , was acquitted of War Crime charges in the Hague Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia . The verdict has caused controversy in Croatia . Vučić distanced himself from Šešelj and his policy , but stated that the verdict should not be used as a tool for political pressure on Serbia . On 7 April 2016 Croatia refused to endorse the EU Commission opinion to open Chapter 23 , a part of Serbias EU accession negotiations , thus effectively blocking Serbia’ EU integration process . Serbia accused Croatia of obstructing its EU membership , and Vučić said that his government was : Stunned by Croatias decision not to support Serbias European path . Croatia has not agreed for Serbia to open negotiations of Chapter 23 . On 14 April 2016 , the EU Commission rejected Croatian arguments in its dispute with Serbia . Relations with Russia . Vučić has maintained traditional good relations between Serbia and Russia , and his government refused to enact sanctions on Russia , following the crisis in Ukraine and the Annexation of Crimea . Vučić has repeatedly announced that Serbia will remain committed to its European integration , but also maintain historic relations with Russia . We have proven our sincere and friendly attitude to Russia by being one of the European countries that refused to impose sanctions on Russia , Vučić said after meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev . Serbia will continue pursuing this policy in the future . During Vučić’s mandate , Serbia has continued to expand its economic ties with Russia , especially by increasing Serbian exports to Russia . In early 2016 , after a meeting with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin , Vučić announced the possibility of Serbia boosting its military cooperation with Russia by purchasing Russian missile systems . In December 2017 , Vučić made an official visit to the Russian Federation for the first time as the President of Serbia . He expressed his gratefulness to Russia for protecting Serbian national interests , and stated that : Serbia will never impose sanctions on the Russian Federation ( in relation to the international sanctions during the Ukrainian crisis ) . During his visit , he focused on strengthening cooperation in the field of military industry and energy . Relations with the United States . In July 2017 Vučić visited the United States and met with U.S . Vice President Mike Pence , where they discussed U.S . support for Serbias efforts to join the European Union , the need for continued reforms , and further progress in normalizing the relationship with Kosovo . Referencing the proposed land swap arrangement between Serbia and Kosovo , U.S . national security advisor John Bolton has said that the United States would not oppose a territorial exchange between Kosovo and Serbia to resolve their long-running dispute . The U.S . State Department continues to maintain that the full normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is essential for regional stability , which Vučić has said before . Relations with China . Vučić has sought closer cooperation with China . He has met with Chinese president Xi Jinping in 2016 , 2018 , and 2019 . After meeting with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi , he secured Chinese help in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia through delivery of PPE and CoronaVac vaccine doses , which has contributed to Serbia leading COVID-19 vaccination rates in Europe . The media . In 2014 , Dunja Mijatović , OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media , wrote Vučić and made attention with the suppression of the media , which he denied and demanded an apology from OSCE . According to the 2015 Freedom House report and the 2017 Amnesty International report , media outlets and journalists has become subject to pressure after criticizing the government of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić . Also , Serbian media are heavily dependent on advertising contracts and government subsidies which make journalists and media outlets exposed to economic pressures , such as payment defaults , termination of contracts and the like . Four popular political talk TV programs were cancelled in 2014 , including the renowned political talk show Utisak nedelje by Olja Bećković , running since 24 years and well known for its critical scrutiny of all governments since . In first report after Vučić took the office , European Commission expressed concerns about deteriorating conditions for the full exercise of freedom of expression . Report said there was a growing trend of self-censorship which combined with undue influence on editorial policies . Reports published in 2016 and 2018 stated that no progress was made to improve conditions for the full exercise of freedom of expression . In July 2016 , the ruling party organized an exhibition of government-critical press articles and social media posts , labeled as ‘lies’ , saying that they wanted to document wrongful attacks and to prove there is no official censorship . In 2017 , Freedom House reported that Serbia posted one of the largest single-year declines in press freedom among all the countries and territories . Also , they emphasized that Vučić had sought to squeeze critical media out of the market and discredit the few journalists with the funds and fortitude to keep working . Some commentators have described that Vučić built the cult of personality , with the significant role of mass media . Observers described that during the campaign for the 2017 presidential election , Vučić had ten times more airtime on national broadcasters than all other candidates combined and mainstream media under Vučićs control have been demonizing most of the opposition presidential candidates , without giving them the opportunity to respond . Organizations that observed the elections emphasized that the presence of Vučić in newspaper and the electronic media during the presidential campaign was disproportionate , adding that media have lost their critical role and that they have become a means of political propaganda . The OSCE Report explains that general reluctance of media to report critically on or to challenge the governing authorities , significantly reduced the amount of impartial information available to voters . They also mentioned that the government used public resources to support Vučić . Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reported harassment and physical assaults on journalists during the presidential inauguration ceremony , after Vučić win election . In 2018 , International Research & Exchanges Board described the situation in the media in Serbia as the worst in recent history , and that Media Sustainability Index dropped because the most polarized media in almost 20 years , an increase in fake news and editorial pressure on media . They also pointed out that the judiciary responds promptly only in cases in which the media allegedly violates the rights of authorities and ruling parties . The increased government control of the media comes as Serbian journalists face more political pressure and intimidation , in 2018 the Independent Association of Serbian Journalists recorded the highest number of attacks against journalists in decade . According to Serbian investigative journalism portal Crime and Corruption Reporting Network , more than 700 fake news were published on the front pages of pro-government tabloids during 2018 . Many of them were about alleged attacks on Vućić and attempts of coups , as well as messages of support to him by Vladimir Putin . The best-selling newspaper in Serbia is the pro-government tabloid Informer , which most often presents Vučić as a powerful person under constant attack , and also has anti-European content and pro-war rhetoric . After Vučić was hospitalized for cardiovascular problems in November 2019 , his associates and pro-regime media accused the journalists of worsening the presidents health by asking questions about alleged corruption by government ministers . The Council of Europe warned that the investigative outlet was target of smear campaign from the state after they caught Vučićs son with members of crime groups , while the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project reported that Vučić pledges to fight the lies . Internet surveillance . Since Vučićs party came to power , Serbia has seen a surge of internet trolls and pages on social networks praising the government and attacking its critics , free media and the opposition in general . That includes a handful of dedicated employees run fake accounts , but also the Facebook page associated with a Serbian franchise of the far-right Breitbart News website . On 26 March 2020 Twitter announced that they shut down the network of 8,500 spam accounts that wrote 43 million tweets – acted in concert to cheerlead for president Vučić and his party , boost Vučić-aligned content and attack his opponents . Criticism and controversies . Public profile . Some have compared Vučić to other strongmen in European politics and , as noted above , accused him of being an autocrat . Many believe he has successfully taken over the center ground of Serbian politics . He has built a reputation for technocratic efficiency , ideological flexibility , and political pragmatism while retaining a base of center-right and right-wing electoral support . Greater Serbia . Until 2008 , Vučić was a disciple of the Greater Serbia ideology , which he testified was envisaged as extending to a western border running along the Virovitica–Karlovac–Karlobag line . In 1995 , during the Croatian War of Independence , Vučić said in Glina ( which was at the time controlled by the rebelled Serbs ) that Serbian Krajina and Glina would never be Croatian , Banovina would never be returned to Croatia , and that if Serbian Radical Party had won elections , Serbs would have lived in Greater Serbia . In another speech from the early 2000s , Vučić called Karlobag , Ogulin , Karlovac and Virovitica Serbian towns , stated that they [ SRSs critics ] rejoice that Ustaše ( referring to Croats ) have occupied Serbian lands and want to convince us Serbian radicals that it wasnt Serbian , that we were saying nonsenses . ( ... ) We want whats ours , Serbian . After split from the Serbian Radical Party and creation of the Serbian Progressive Party , Vučić said he no longer supports the Greater Serbia ideology . On 1 September 2020 , Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović accused Vučić and Belgrade-based media of interfering in the internal politics of Montenegro , as well of alleged trying to revive a Greater Serbia policy . Srebrenica massacre and Ratko Mladić . On 20 July 1995 , commenting on NATO bombing campaign against Army of Republika Srpskas ( VRS ) positions , Vučić said in the National Assembly : for every Serb killed , we will kill 100 Muslims only a few days after the Srebrenica massacre , when more than 8000 Muslim Bosniaks were killed by the VRS and paramilitary groups from Serbia . In 2015 , he said that his statement from 1995 was taken out of context and that was not the essence of that sentence . Before splitting away from the Radical Party of Vojislav Šešelj , Vučić was openly and publicly celebrating and calling for the protection of Ratko Mladić , a military leader convicted of committing war crimes , crimes against humanity and genocide . In 2007 , while Mladić was still at large in Serbia , Vučić was distributing posters stating Safe house for general Mladić . During a parliament session he stated that the Serbian Parliament will always protect and be a safe house for the general and that any house in Serbia that bears the last name of Vučić will protect and shelter Mladić . In the same year Vučić organized a street protest where the signs naming the street after the assassinated pro-west Serbian PM were replaced with the signs effectively renaming the street to Ratko Mladić Boulevard . This has become a frequent occurrence in which Serbian ultra-right factions vandalize same signs on top of the regular signs to celebrate the anniversary of the Zoran Đinđić assassination . Vučić also participated in protests against the arrest of later convicted war criminals Veselin Šljivančanin and Radovan Karadžić , as well as Vojislav Šešelj , then president of his party . Slavko Ćuruvija . It was during Vučićs term as the Minister of Information that Slavko Ćuruvija , a prominent journalist who reported on the Kosovo War , was murdered in a state-sponsored assassination . In 1999 , before the assassination took place , Vučić gave a front page interview to the tabloid Argument in which he stated I will have my revenge on Slavko Ćuruvija for all the lies published in Dnevni telegraf ( Ćuruvijas paper ) . In 2014 , Vučić apologized to the Ćuruvija family for having waited so long to bring the perpetrators to justice , and thanked everyone who was involved in solving the case for their work . Branka Prpa , Ćuruvijas common-law spouse , said Vučić participated in the murder and that he is the creator of the practice of persecution of journalists . Personal life . At tall , Vučić is one of the tallest world leaders . On 27 July 1997 , Vučić married Ksenija Janković , a journalist at Radio Index and Srpska reč . The couple had two children before divorcing in 2011 . On 14 December 2013 , Vučić married Tamara Đukanović , a diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia . On 9 June 2017 , a week after Vučić took the presidential office , his wife gave birth to a son . During the opposition period , he has frequently appeared in popular TV shows . In 2006 , Vučić became the winner of the first season of the Serbian version of The Pyramid , a talk show with a competitive element broadcast on Pink TV . He was the first politician who participated in the humanitarian dance contest Plesom do snova ( in 2009 ) and the first politician to guest-starred on a late-night talk show Veče sa Ivanom Ivanovićem ( in 2010 ) . He also was a guest judge in one episode of the third season of Zvezde Granda , the most popular music competition in Balkans . On 15 November 2019 , he was hospitalized at a military hospital in Belgrade due to apparent cardiovascular issues . Three days later it was reported that he was released . Some , including his media advisor and the deputy mayor of Belgrade , have claimed that his health problems were in part due to pressure from journalists . Vučić explicitly denied this at media conference shortly after his hospital stay . At the same event , he confirmed the chronic nature of his health problems . On 8 April 2020 , it was revealed that Vučićs 22-year-old son , Danilo , had contracted the coronavirus and was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Belgrade . During July 2020 Vučić became a student at Belgrades College of sports and health , with the goal to become a basketball trainer for juniors after he ends his political career . Some Serbian journalists have reported that a mandatory condition for entering the College was active participation in sports for three years , which was removed from the official website shortly after Vučićs enrollment . Honours . Other . - Gold Medal of Merit of the City of Athens - Friends of Zion Award External links . - Aleksandar Vučić profile at the Council of Europe website