Goran Knežević
Goran Knežević (Serbian Cyrillic: Горан Кнежевић, pronounced [ɡǒran kněːʒeʋitɕ]; born 12 May 1957) is a Serbian politician and former professional basketball player. He serves as the Minister of Economy of Serbia from 11 August 2016.
Goran Knežević | |
---|---|
Горан Кнежевић | |
Minister of Economy | |
Assumed office 11 August 2016 | |
Prime Minister | Aleksandar Vučić Ivica Dačić (Acting) Ana Brnabić |
Preceded by | Željko Sertić |
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management | |
In office 27 July 2012 – 2 September 2013 | |
Prime Minister | Aleksandar Vučić |
Preceded by | Dušan Petrović |
Succeeded by | Dragan Glamočić |
Mayor of Zrenjanin | |
In office 6 July 2012 – 26 July 2012 | |
Preceded by | Mileta Mihajlov |
Succeeded by | Ivan Bošnjak |
In office 2004–2009 | |
Preceded by | Milan Čežek |
Succeeded by | Mileta Mihajlov |
Personal details | |
Born | Banatski Karlovac, PR Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia | 12 May 1957
Nationality | Serbian |
Political party | Democratic Party (1991–2008) Serbian Progressive Party (2010–) |
Alma mater | University of Belgrade |
Occupation | Politician |
Basketball career | |
Career history | |
1978–1980 | Partizan |
? | Vojvodina |
? | Proleter |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
He previously served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management from 2012 to 2013.[1] He also served as the Mayor of Zrenjanin from 2004 to 2009 and shortly in 2012.
Early years and education
He was born in Banatski Karlovac, Serbia. He graduated from the University of Belgrade with a diploma in economics.
Basketball career
Knežević used to be a basketball player in Partizan from Belgrade, Vojvodina from Novi Sad and Proleter from Zrenjanin. During 1978–79 season he won Yugoslav First Federal League, Yugoslav Cup and FIBA Korać Cup with Partizan.
Also, he used to be a president of Basketball Federation of Serbia and Montenegro during a short period between 2005 and 2006.
Political career
Knežević became mayor of Zrenjanin municipality in 2004, and was re-elected in 2008.
On 1 October 2008 by Serbian police on suspicion that he was involved in "construction mafia" - helping individuals from organized crime circles launder money by investing it in construction and real-estate development.[2]
On 1 April 2009 the D.S. Mayor was charged with Abuse of Office. The Special Prosecution states that the Zrenjanin municipal budget suffered damages to the amount of EUR 1.6mn, as a result.
On 23 April 2009 he was dismissed as a Mayor, since he was in custody since 1 October 2008. He was released from custody on 4 November 2009.
On 11 August 2016, Knežević took the office of the Minister of Economy of Serbia, replacing Željko Sertić on that position.[3]
In February 2017, the Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić decided to run for the 2017 Serbian presidential elections.[4] He won the elections in the first round and was sworn as the President of Serbia on 31 May 2017.[5] Weeks later, he gave mandate to Ana Brnabić to form the governmental cabinet.[6] On 29 June 2017, the cabinet of Ana Brnabić was formed,[7][8] with Knežević keeping his office.
References
- "Serbia accepted resignation of nine ministers". balkans.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- Uhapšen gradonačelnik Zrenjanina, B92, October 1, 2008
- "НОВИ МИНИСТАР ПРИВРЕДЕ ГОРАН КНЕЖЕВИЋ ПРЕУЗЕО ДУЖНОСТ". privreda.gov.rs (in Serbian). 11 August 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- "SNS: Jednoglasno - Vučić kandidat za predsednika". b92.net (in Serbian). Tanjug. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- "Vucic Sworn in as Serbia's New President Amid Protests". usnews.com. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- "Vučić: Kandidat za predsednika Vlade je Ana Brnabić". b92.net (in Serbian). 15 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- "Kabinet Ane Brnabić položio zakletvu". danas.rs (in Serbian). Danas Online. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- Surk, Barbara. "Serbia Gets Its First Female, and First Openly Gay, Premier". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
External links
- Official web-site of Goran Knežević (in Serbian language)
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Dušan Petrović |
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Serbia 2012–2013 |
Succeeded by Dragan Glamočić |
Preceded by Željko Sertić |
Minister of Economy of Serbia 2016–present |
Incumbent |
Sporting positions | ||
Preceded by Miodrag Babić |
President of the Basketball Federation of Serbia and Montenegro 2005 – 2007 |
Succeeded by Dragan Kapičić |