Franjo Tuđman

Franjo Tuđman was elected president of the Socialist Republic of Croatia in the first multi-party elections on May 30, 1990. His Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) won a majority, and he led Croatia toward independence from Yugoslavia, declaring sovereignty later that year.

Tuđman led Croatia in declaring independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991, following a referendum. This triggered the Croatian War of Independence against the Yugoslav People's Army and Serb rebels, resulting in a four-year conflict that ended with Croatian victory.

Tuđman ordered the Croatian Army to launch Operation Storm in August 1995, a military offensive that recaptured the Serb-held Krajina region. The operation ended the Croatian War of Independence but resulted in the exodus of approximately 200,000 Serb civilians and accusations of war crimes.

Tuđman signed the Dayton Peace Agreement on December 14, 1995, ending the Bosnian War. The agreement established Bosnia and Herzegovina as a decentralized state with two entities, and Tuđman's role was criticized for supporting Croat separatism in Bosnia.

Tuđman died on December 10, 1999, after a long battle with cancer. His death marked the end of an era, and his legacy remains divisive: praised for achieving Croatian independence but criticized for authoritarian tendencies and nationalist policies that contributed to ethnic conflict.