14th (extraordinary) Congress of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia
Fourteenth (extraordinary) Congress of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia (Четрнаести (ванредни) конгрес Савез комуниста Југославије) was held from 20 to 22 January 1990, in the Belgrade Sava Centar. It was the last Congress of League of Communists of Yugoslavia. It was attended by delegates from all the republics and provinces, as well as a party delegation from Yugoslav National Army JNA (Jugoslovenska narodna armija). The Chair of the meeting was President of the Presidium of the Central Committee Milan Pančevski from Macedonia.
Background
During the 1980's, Yugoslavia was faced with a growing political and economic crisis' that threaten the very survival of the federation. Conflicting strategies of the future of the nation, based both in republic's capitals, Belgrade, the power of the League of Communists, and its debt crisis finally separated on the 14th extraordinary Congress in January 1990.[1]
The Congress
During the Congress, any illusions about a united LCY front, that could bring the country out of the crisis were dispelled.[2] Instead the Congress was dominated mostly by clashes between the Serbian and Slovenian delegations over the power and decision making process of the Constituent republics of SFRY. The Serbian delegation advocated for the introduction of "one man - one vote", with a more centralized Yugoslavia. The Slovenes, however, suggested a confederation party and state, giving more power to the republics. All proposals of the Slovenian delegation, led by Milan Kucan, were rejected. At the same time, Serbian proposals were accepted on a majority vote, helped by Serbia's domination of the votes in Kosovo, Vojvodina and Montenegro.
After two days, and sharp verbal conflict, the Slovene delegation walked out. Immediately thereafter, the head of the delegation from Serbia, Slobodan Milosevic, suggested that Congress continue to work and move on to decision-making. However, this was strongly opposed by the delegation Croatia, who argued this was unconstitutional. When Milosevic asked what it would take to recommence the meeting, the Croatian delegation remarked "Slovene delegation", and that if the meeting was recommenced they too would leave the proceedings. When attempts were made, the Croatian delegation were true to their word, and too left, joined by the delegations of Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Milan Pančevski called the days proceedings to a close, and called for a ajerment for the following day, however this did not happen, and the congress was never recalled.
Yugoslavia faced a uncertain period after the Congress, without any significant cohesive force or individual that would lead to some kind of compromise or conciseness. [3] Soon after LCY, after 81 years of existence, dissolved itself, paving the way for free elections. Thus, after 45 years of uninterrupted rule, communist rule was over. This event was one of the key moments for the beginning of the breakup of Yugoslavia.[4]
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