KIRO GLIGOROV

President of the
Republic of Macedonia (1991-1999)

Born May 3, 1917 in Stip, Republic of Macedonia. Graduated from the Law Faculty in Belgrade in 1938. After graduation, returns to Skopje, where he works as an attorney in a private bank.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, actively takes part in the anti-fascist and people's liberation movement in Macedonia. From 1945 to the beginning of the 60-ies, holds specialized executive functions in the spheres of economy and finance in Belgrade.

He is one of the leading economist supporting the advancement of market economy in Yugoslavia. At the beginning of the 70-ies he was elected member of the Presidency of the Socialist Federal republic of Yugoslavia (1974-1978) and President of the Parliament of the Socialist Federal republic of Yugoslavia. Thereafter he was forced to abstain from political activities.

At the onset of the crises in Yugoslavia (1989-1990) he makes a come back in the political life of Macedonia, promoting multi-party elections and the introduction of a market economy. These activities resulted in his election as President of the Republic of Macedonia, on the first free, multi party elections held on January 27, 1991.

While in office as President of the Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Macedonia proclaimed its independence and became the only Republic of the former SFR Yugoslavia to attain its independence though a peaceful and legitimate manner. During this period the country declared its new Constitution - the document establishing the foundations of a civil society, legal state, parliamentary democracy and market economy.

On the first general presidential elections in the Republic of Macedonia held in October, 1994, Kiro Gligorov was re-elected President of the Republic of Macedonia with a five year term, which he completed in 1999.