On 26 January 1986 the League of Communists of Serbia met to choose the next party leader. There were seven candidates, but everyone knew it would be Milošević. Ivan Stambolić, his friend and mentor and President of Serbia, skilfully steered the meeting in his friend’s favour.
He was actively supported by Nikola Ljubičić, who unreservedly praised Milošević as a man who ‘actively fought against nationalism, liberalism and all forms of counter-revolution in Belgrade’.
However, things did not go quite as expected. It turned out that Milošević was not very popular. Many League members feared his autocratic manner. Draža Marković, who led the anti-Milošević resistance, accused Ivan and Slobodan of seeking personal power The young party activists, uninvolved in such feuds, wished to see Špiro Galović or Radiša Gačić in the post. During a stormy debate that went on for two days it seemed that the favourite Milošević might lose.
Those who wished to avoid a complete split were increasingly backing Radiša Gačić. But although even Milošević’s supporters found Gačić acceptable, he kept refusing this high post.
The POD is that Radisa Gacic, after giving it some careful consideration, decides to go for it. He narrowly defeats Milosevic and becomes party leader.
What happens to Yugoslavia next? Will it still break apart? Will it be less severe? I’ve heard that Yugoslavia was negotiating entrance into the EEC, but the Civil War brought an end to that.