Dragiša Pavlović

Dragiša "Buca" Pavlović (Serbian Cyrillic: Драгиша Буца Павловић; 5 October 1943 – 9 September 1996) was a Serbian and Yugoslav politician, known primarily as one of the top figures who publicly opposed Slobodan Milošević and tried to prevent his rise to power. Pavlović was Chairman of the City Committee of the League of Communists of Belgrade from 23 April 1986 to 24 September 1987.

"The situation in Kosovo, which does not improve with the desired and promised speed, creates a dangerous atmosphere where every word spoken against Serbian nationalism is perceived as nationalism. Passionate words can only bring fire."

- Dragiša Pavlović

This was seen as a critique of Milošević and party politics. Milošević denounced Pavlović as being soft on Albanian radicals, contrary to advice from President Ivan Stambolić. On 23–24 September 1987, at the subsequent eighth session of the Central Committee, one that lasted more than 20 hours, and was broadcast live on the state television, Milošević had Pavlović deposed, to the utter embarrassment of Ivan Stambolić; Stambolić was dismissed in December 1987. His dismissal marked the rise of Slobodan Milošević.

Pavlović was a social democrat.

Pavlović died on 9 September 1996, aged 52. His funeral was attended by only a small number of relatives and close friends, among them being Stambolić.