Yugoslavia's Transition: Milosevic's Refusal to Surrender Power

Slobodan Milosevic has continued to resist handing over power to Vojislav Kostunica, the newly elected president of Yugoslavia. Despite a decisive election victory, Mr. Milosevic is planning a meaningless runoff vote, sparking concern from foreign governments and Mr. Kostunica's allies. The situation is reminiscent of similar upheavals in Eastern Europe during the Soviet empire's collapse, where discredited leaders yielded power without violence. In Poland, Hungary, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia, Communist leaders stepped down, while in Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu's refusal to surrender led to his execution. Similarly, in the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos's attempts to cling to power were met with the refusal of key army leaders to fight against the people. Mr. Kostunica has encouraged Yugoslavs to use nonviolent resistance, resulting in protests, boycotts, and strikes. However, Milosevic's allies have threatened to crush the opposition, and security forces may refuse to repress their own citizens.

Key Takeaways:

• Slobodan Milosevic has refused to acknowledge the victory of Vojislav Kostunica in the presidential election, planning instead a meaningless runoff vote.
• Mr. Kostunica's allies are urging foreign governments, including Russia, to recognize his victory and persuade Milosevic to yield power.
• Yugoslavia's neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, experienced similar transitions during the Soviet empire's collapse, where discredited leaders stepped down without violence.
• Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania and Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines attempted to cling to power but were met with refusal from key figures, leading to their downfall.
• Mr. Kostunica has called for nonviolent resistance in Yugoslavia, with protests, boycotts, and strikes taking place, but Milosevic's allies have threatened violent suppression.
• President Vladimir Putin of Russia has signaled a lack of fondness for Milosevic but has remained publicly neutral, prolonging the crisis.

Statistics:

• 1989: The Soviet empire collapsed, leading to similar upheavals in Eastern Europe.
• 10 days: The time frame since the presidential election in which Milosevic has refused to acknowledge Kostunica's victory.
• 2: The number of condemned elections in Eastern Europe where discredited Communist leaders stepped down without violence.
• 1: The number of instances, such as Romania, where leaders refused to step down and faced violent consequences.

Sources:

• The Wall Street Journal
• The New York Times
• Foreign Affairs magazine