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Yugoslavia GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Government: Federal system in which federal government
and governments of six republics and two provinces (with limited
autonomy) shared power and authority. After death of dictator
Josip Broz Tito in 1980, head of state began annual rotation
among members of eight-member State Presidency. Federal Executive
Council (FEC) acted as cabinet; its president was prime minister
and de facto head of government. Legislative branch was bicameral
Federal Assembly (Skupstina), representing republics and social
organizations. Decision making slow, often cumbersome; proposals
subject to veto by republics whose interests were threatened.
Politics: Until 1990, sole center of political power
was League of Communists of Yugoslavia (LCY). Its split along
republic lines coincided with growth of many noncommunist
parties, mostly republic based, in late 1980s. First noncommunist
republic government elected in Croatia in 1990. Multiparty
elections held in all republics in 1990.
Foreign Relations: Maintained nonaligned international
position after breaking with Soviet Union in 1948; remained a
leader of world Nonaligned Movement through 1980s. Previously
balanced relations with Soviet Union and West tilted toward West
after economic and political crises in Soviet Union and Eastern
European late 1980s.
International Agreements and Memberships: Member of
United Nations and most of its specialized agencies. Observer
status in Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon). Also
member of World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
Data as of December 1990
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