Saša Janković

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Saša Janković
Ombudsman of the Republic of Serbia
In office
23 July 2007 – 7 February 2017
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byZoran Pašalić
Personal details
Born (1970-04-27) 27 April 1970 (age 53)
French National Order of Merit

Saša Janković (

Republic of Serbia between 2007 and 2017. He resigned his post in February 2017 in order to run at the 2017 Serbian presidential election, where he came second with 16.36% of the vote. He was one of the founders and leader of Movement of Free Citizens, a centre-left political organization in Serbia
before leaving it in January 2019.

Early life

Janković was born in Loznica, Serbia (then part of SFR Yugoslavia) on 27 April 1970. In his school years, he was a talented handball player, but also practiced karate and recreational archery.[1]

In a scenario of extraordinary circumstances, Janković lost citizenship in the newly-formed Federal Republic of Yugoslavia when war broke out in Yugoslav territories due to his father having been born in Bosnia and Herzegovina.[1] The new Yugoslav government listed Janković as a refugee when the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina formally declared independence from Yugoslavia.[1] Since Janković was born in Loznica, he tried to file a complaint to the Committee of Petitions and Appeals to correct his "refugee" status, but his complaint was ignored.[1] Due to his refugee status, Janković went into hiding for several months due to the prospect of being deported and sent to war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.[1] Prior to this, Janković was mobilized in Yugoslav Army and spent several months in a war during the war in Croatia.[2]

On April 1, 1993, Janković's school friend Predrag Gojković was found dead with a firearm in Janković's apartment.[3] Janković was not in the apartment at the time of Gojković's death, but a mutual friend was there and called the police.[4] An investigation was carried out by Yugoslavia's Ministry of Internal Affairs.[3] It was determined that Gojković committed suicide.[3] The investigation was re-opened on several occasions, during which Janković was interrogated and tested on a polygraph.[5]

In an interview with Peščanik Janković talked briefly about his life in Yugoslavia in the 1990s. He sold gasoline on the streets (not from a gas station) due to the

sanctions against Yugoslavia.[6]

He graduated from the

Faculty of Law of the University of Belgrade in 1996. He obtained a specialist degree from the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Belgrade in 2006.[7]

Between 1994 and 1997, Janković was a journalist at

Ombudsman

On 29 June 2007, the

National Assembly of Serbia appointed Janković to the newly established post of the National Ombudsman for a five-year term with 143 votes for.[8] On 4 August 2012, he was re-appointed to the new five-year term with 167 votes for, one abstention, and no votes against. His re-election was supported by all parties in the Assembly.[9]

Janković came into conflict with the Government of Serbia and

Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić.[10] After that, several MPs of the SNS heavily criticized the Ombudsman and called for Janković to resign claiming his actions were politically motivated.[11][12] Some MPs and pro-government media outlets even claimed that Janković was responsible for suicide that a friend of Janković committed in 1993 in Janković's apartment using his pistol.[13][14] OSCE and the European Commission expressed concerns about those attacks against Janković.[15][16] Journalist Dragan Janjić wrote that Janković is a target of a "smear campaign" orchestrated by Vučić.[17]

Janković in 2010

Janković clashed with the Government again in April 2015 when he claimed that Bratislav Gašić was responsible for a military helicopter crash in which 7 people have died.[18] Janković criticized Vučić for protecting Gašić, whom Janković blamed for the accident.[19]

Next confrontation between Janković and the Government came in May 2016 when Janković claimed that the Government is responsible for demolishing buildings in Belgrade's Savamala neighborhood under cover of the night by several dozen masked persons.[20] Janković's report claimed that the police was ordered not to intervene during the demolition.[21] After this, Janković was again heavily attacked by the MPs of the Serbian Progressive Party and Serbian Radical Party, who claimed that Janković is not protecting citizens, but is promoting himself instead.[22]

In late 2016, media outlets started speculating that Janković might be a suitable candidate of the opposition at the 2017 Serbian presidential election.[23] In November 2016, one hundred prominent public figures signed a petition to Janković calling him to run for President in 2017.[24] He did not give any definitive answer at the time, saying that the time is not right for such a decision.[25] This was heavily criticized by the leadership of the Serbian Progressive Party and their partners who called Janković a "politician" who only works on his political promotion and called for him to resign.[26] In 2017, Amnesty International reported pro-government media in Serbia continued to smear independent journalists and human rights defenders, as well as the Ombudsperson's Office.[27]

Janković officially resigned his ombudsman post on 7 February 2017 in order to run for President.[28]

Presidential campaign, 2017

On November 25, 2016, Serbian newspaper Blic published a list of over 100 public figures in Serbia petitioned for Janković to run for president of Serbia in 2017.[29] In December 2016, Janković formally announced that he would run as an independent for president of Serbia in the 2017 presidential election.[29]

This public opinion survey, carried out by

CeSID showed that there are more women among the Janković's supporters. The vast majority of supporters (59%) were made by highly educated citizens.[30] In addition, he was supported by the majority of diaspora voters.[31]

At the election, Janković came second, behind Aleksandar Vučić, with 16.36% of the vote.[32]

List of Saša Janković endorsements[33][34]
Organizations
Current and former public officeholders
University and academic figures
Actors, filmmakers and dramaturges
Other

Political positions

Kosovo

In an interview with Novi Magazin, Janković was asked whether Serbia would recognize

Kosovska Mitrovica train incident, saying that "I won't allow the military or security services to play with shiny trains to present to the media, while the consequences of that game are suffered by Serbs in Kosovo, especially in the enclaves."[65]

Awards

In March 2015, Janković was awarded French

OSCE in Serbia (2011)[67] and by news magazine Vreme (2015).[68]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Blic (September 26, 2009). "Saša Janković, prvi srpski zaštitnik građana (ombudsman) - Perfekcionista". Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  2. ^ Tamara Skrozza (January 14, 2016). "Intevju Ličnost godine - Saša Janković: Zašto im smetam" (in Serbian). Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c V.N. (April 22, 2015). "Saša Janković imao barut na rukama; Ombudsman: Nađeni su nitrati, prijatelja sam mazio po kosi" (in Serbian). Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  4. ^ Dejan Ilić (April 23, 2015). "Peščanik: Laž urla Srbijom" (in Serbian). Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  5. ^ Blic (May 13, 2015). "Saša Janković za NIN: Moj odgovor na sva pitanja o "aferi pištolj"" (in Serbian). Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  6. ^ Tamara Nikčević (September 8, 2016). "Peščanik: Saša Janković – intervju" (in Serbian). Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c "Saša Janković" (in Serbian). Istinomer. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  8. ^ Stanković, T (30 June 2007). "Zeleno svetlo za predizborna obećanja" [Green light for pre-election promises] (in Serbian). Danas. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Saša Janković ponovo izabran za zaštitnika građana" [Saša Janković is re-appointed Ombudsman] (in Serbian). Politika. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Polemika o napadu na brata premijera Srbije" [Debate about the attack on Prime Minister's brother]. Al Jazeera. 2015-01-28. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Jovičić: Saša Janković je sramota, a ne zaštita za građane" [Jovičić: Saša Janković is a shame, not an Ombudsman]. Blic. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  12. ^ "Vladimir Đukanović: Janković urušava instituciju zaštitnika građana" [Vladimir Đukanović: Janković undermines the institution of ombudsman] (in Serbian). Blic. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  13. N1
    . 25 April 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  14. ^ "Janković primoran obustaviti kontrolu VBA" [Jankovic forced to suspend control of VBA] (in Serbo-Croatian). Al Jazeera. 2015-05-06. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  15. ^ "OEBS izrazio zabrinutost zbog kampanje protiv Ombudsmana" [OSCE concerned about the campaign against Jankovic] (in Serbian). Blic. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  16. ^ "EVROPSKA KOMISIJA ŽESTOKO Sramota je šta rade zaštitniku građana" [EUROPEAN COMMISSION: It is a shame what they're ding to Ombudsman]. Blic. 21 April 2015.
  17. Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso
    . Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  18. ^ "Saša Janković: Gašić mora da snosi odgovornost" [Saša Janković: Gašić has to be responsible] (in Serbian). Blic. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  19. N1
    . 12 April 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  20. Radio Free Europe
    . Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  21. N1
    . 9 May 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  22. ^ "Poslanici kritikovali ombudsmana na sednici odbora s koje je izostao" [MPs criticized Ombudsman at a committee meeting he did not attend] (in Serbian). Radio Television of Serbia. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  23. ^ Latković, Nataša (8 September 2016). "ZA I PROTIV Saša Janković najozbiljniji izbor za predsedničkog kandidata opozicije" [For and against: Saša Janković most serious choice for the opposition presidential candidate] (in Serbian). Blic. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  24. ^ "Apel STO JAVNIH LIČNOSTI da se Saša Janković kandiduje za PREDSEDNIKA SRBIJE" [Petition of one hundred public figures to Saša Janković to run for the President of Serbia] (in Serbian). Blic. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  25. ^ "Janković: Znao sam da se potpisuje apel, ali nisam još doneo odluku o kandidaturi" [Janković: I knew about the petition, but I still haven't made a decision about my nomination] (in Serbian). Večernje novosti. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  26. ^ ""SLUŽI SE ŠIBICARSKIM TRIKOVIMA" Jovanov: Janković u strahu da li će biti kandidat" [Jovanov: Janković in fear about his candidacy] (in Serbian). Blic. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  27. ^ "Serbia 2016/2017". Amnesty International. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  28. ^ "Saša Janković podneo ostavku, kandiduje se za predsednika" [Saša Janković Resigns, Will Run for President] (in Serbian). N1. 7 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  29. ^ a b [1] Insajder: „Novi“ predsednički kandidati (in Serbian). December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  30. ^ Klačar, Bojan (2018). Oko izbora 20 (PDF). CeSID.
  31. ^ "Serbian presidential elections: The diaspora vote" (PDF). European Politics and Policy, The London School of Economics and Political Science. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  32. ^ "RIK (94,18%): Vučić osvojio 1,9 miliona glasova" (in Serbian). N1. 3 April 2017.
  33. ^ a b "Apel Saši Jankoviću da se kandiduje za Predsednika Republike" (in Serbian). January 15, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  34. ^ a b c "Janković: Da budemo informisani, ne informerisani" (in Serbian). February 19, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  35. ^ "Драган Шутановац: Демократе и Саша Јанковић су тим који побеђује [Dragan Šutanovac: Democrats and Saša Janković are the winning team]" (in Serbian). January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  36. ^ "Živković: Čovek sa stavom – to je Saša Janković!" (in Serbian). February 20, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  37. ^ "SDU podržava kandidaturu Saše Jankovića [SDU Backs Saša Janković's Presidential Bid]" (in Serbian). January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  38. ^ "Vojvođanska partija podržala kandidaturu Saše Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 9, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  39. ^ "Crnogorska partija podržala Jankovića" (in Serbian). March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  40. ^ "Romska partija: Podrška Jankoviću" (in Serbian). March 28, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  41. ^ "Official Facebook page of Civic Movement "It is All the Same" - Jeste SVEjeDNO". Facebook (in Serbian). February 9, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  42. ^ "Inicijativa Ne da(vi)mo Beograd podržala Sašu Jankovića" (in Serbian). January 25, 2017.
  43. ^ "Voštinić: Najlakše je upravljati ne glupima, već siromašnima" (in Serbian). January 29, 2017.
  44. ^ "Lokalni front - Zašto Saša Janković?". YouTube (in Serbian). December 27, 2016.
  45. ^ "APEL Saši Jankoviću da se kandiduje za Predsednika Republike" (in Serbian).
  46. ^ "Hrvatski građanski savez podržao Sašu Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  47. ^ "Pokret "Podrži RTV" podržao kandidaturu Saše Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  48. ^ ""Podrži RTV" Twitter profile status" (in Serbian). February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  49. ^ "Pokret "AlternAktiva" podržao kandidaturu Saše Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  50. ^ ""Slobodni stanari" iz Niša podržali kandidaturu Saše Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  51. ^ "Saša Janković a polgári Szerbia jelöltje" (in Hungarian). December 28, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  52. ^ "Zelena mreža Vojvodine podržala kandidaturu Saše Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  53. ^ "Vojvođanski klub podržava Sašu Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  54. ^ "Savez antifašista Vojvodine podržao Sašu Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 22, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  55. ^ "Udruženje "Ateisti Srbije" podržalo Sašu Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 23, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  56. ^ "Bivši poslanici DJB podržali Sašu Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  57. ^ Mihajlović, Branka; Martinović, Iva (February 19, 2017). "Saša Janković: Vratićemo otetu državu". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbian). Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  58. ^ "Blic: Apel STO JAVNIH LIČNOSTI da se Saša Janković kandiduje za PREDSEDNIKA SRBIJE" (in Serbian). November 25, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  59. ^ "B92: Živković: Podrška Jankoviću" (in Serbian). December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  60. ^ "Blic: OD IZBORA ZAVISI OPSTANAK OPOZICIJE Pajtić: Glasaću za Sašu Jankovića" (in Serbian). December 29, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  61. ^ "Jovanović podržao Jankovića, a on mu poručio da ne glasa za njega" (in Serbian). March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  62. ^ "Tepić: Čanak želi da se kandiduje, odbori mahom za Jankovića" (in Serbian). February 6, 2017.
  63. ^ "Podrška organizacija" (in Serbian).
  64. ^ "Vujošević revoltiran napadom na Ivkovića: Moj glas Jankoviću" (in Serbian). March 9, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  65. ^ a b c Jelka Jovanović (March 2, 2017). "Intevju Saša Janković: Predsednik mora da bude kočnica populizmu" (in Serbian). Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  66. ^ "Serbian Ombudsman received French Order of Merit". International Ombudsman Institute. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  67. ^ "Nagrade "Ličnost godine" Neveni Petrušić, Rodoljubu Šabiću i Saši Jankoviću". Blic. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  68. ^ "Saša Janković". Vreme. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2017.

External links

Political offices
New office Ombudsman of the Republic of Serbia
2007–2017
Succeeded by
Party political offices
New office President of the Movement of Free Citizens
2017–2018
Succeeded by