Sergej Kraigher (30 May 1914 – 17 January 2001) was a Yugoslav communist politician from Slovenia who served as the President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia from 1981 to 1982. During World War II, he fought in the Yugoslav Resistance Movement.[1]

Sergej Kraigher
Kraigher in 1969
3rd President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia
In office
15 May 1981 – 15 May 1982
Prime MinisterVeselin Đuranović
Preceded byCvijetin Mijatović
Succeeded byPetar Stambolić
9th President of the Presidency of SR Slovenia
In office
May 1974 – May 1979
Prime MinisterAndrej Marinc
Anton Vratuša
Succeeded byViktor Avbelj
6th President of the People's Assembly of SR Slovenia
In office
1967–1973
Prime MinisterJanko Smole
Stane Kavčić
Andrej Marinc
Preceded byIvan Maček
Succeeded byTone Kropušek
Preceded byMarjan Brecelj (as President of the People's Assembly of SR Slovenia)
Personal details
Born(1914-05-30)30 May 1914
Adelsberg, Austria-Hungary
Died17 January 2001(2001-01-17) (aged 86)
Ljubljana, Slovenia
NationalityYugoslav
Political partySKJ

Biography

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Kraigher was born in Postojna, Austria-Hungary, modern-day Slovenia. His uncle, Jurij Kraigher was a prominent American civil and war pilot. His other uncle, Alojz Kraigher, was a prominent writer and left wing activist, while his cousin Boris also became an influential communist politician.

Kraigher rose through the ranks of the Communist Party of Slovenia in the 1940s. He fought in the Partisan resistance. Kraigher became chairman of the People's Assembly of Slovenia in 1967 and held that position until 1974, after which he served as President of the Presidency of Slovenia from 1974 until 1979. Following the death of Edvard Kardelj, Kraigher became the Slovenian member of the collective Presidency of Yugoslavia and served as its 3rd President after the death of Josip Broz Tito in 1980, from 1981 to 1982.

He is also known for being the chairman of the Kraigher Commission, which was set up by the Yugoslav government to advise and give proposals in solving the Yugoslav economic crisis which started to develop in the early to mid-1980s. The commission report was the basis of a reform package that was to be implemented by the Milka Planinc cabinet, but it never happened.

Kraigher died in Ljubljana, Slovenia on 17 January 2001, at the age of 86.

References

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  1. ^ "Communist Politician Sergej Kraigher Dies at 86". Slovenian Press Agency. 17 January 2001. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
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Political offices
Preceded by President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia
1981–1982
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Marjan Brecelj
as President of the People's Assembly of SR Slovenia
President of the Presidency of SR Slovenia
1974–1979
Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the People's Assembly of SR Slovenia
1967–1973
Succeeded by
Tone Kropušek