Nijaz Duraković

He was the founder of the Social Democratic Party, and served as its first president from 1992 until 1997. He also served as member of the national House of Representatives from 2002 to 2006. Duraković died in January 2012 at the age of 63.

• Name — Nijaz Duraković • Office — Bosniak Member of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina • Term Start — 20 October 1993 • Term End — 5 October 1996 • Alongside — Alija Izetbegović • Predecessor — Fikret Abdić • Successor — Alija Izetbegović • Office1 — 9th President of the League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina • Term Start1 — 29 June 1989 • Term End1 — 24 February 1991 • Predecessor1 — Abdulah Mutapčić • Successor1 — Office abolished Parliamentary offices Additional positions • Born — 1 January 1949 • Birthplace — Stolac, PR Bosnia and Herzegovina, FPR Yugoslavia • Died — 29 January 2012 • Place of death — Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina • Party — Social Democratic Union (2006–2012) • Other Party — * SKJ (1967–1991) • Social Democratic Party (1992–2002) • Alma Mater — University of Sarajevo (BA, MA, PhD)

Duraković was born in Stolac on 1 January 1949 to Hakija and Ćamila. He completed his primary and secondary education there, and then his BA, MA, and PhD degrees in sociology at the University of Sarajevo. He served as the last president of the League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 29 June 1989 until 24 February 1991, and as the first president of the Social Democratic Party from 27 December 1992 to 6 April 1997. On 20 October 1993, Duraković became a member of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War, serving alongside Alija Izetbegović until 5 October 1996. In the 2002 general election, he was elected to the national House of Representatives, serving as its member until 20 November 2006.

Duraković died on 29 January 2012 in Sarajevo following a heart attack, at the age of 63. His death was met with statements of sympathy and tribute from many individuals and organizations. Bosnian Presidency chairman Željko Komšić released a statement upon Duraković's death, describing him as a "great man" and a "successful politician and fighter for Bosnia and Herzegovina." Federal prime minister Nermin Nikšić stated "There will be a gap behind Duraković that will be difficult to fill. Generations that follow his example can learn how to love Bosnia and Herzegovina."