Subotica Mayor Stevan Bakic Dies at 60
The Serbian Progressive Party mayor of Subotica died on October 10 after a long and serious illness. He had led the city for just over six years, since 2020.
Stevan Bakic, the mayor of Subotica from the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), died on October 10, 2026, after a long and serious illness, aged 60. SNS president Milos Vucevic announced the news on social media and called Bakic his friend and comrade.
The illness has not been named, nor has the place where Bakic died. It has also not been stated who will take over as mayor. The time and place of the funeral will be announced later.
What did Vucevic write about Bakic?
Vucevic wrote in a social media post:
“It is with sadness that I received the news that my friend and comrade, Subotica Mayor Stevan Bakic, has died. Stevan was someone who left an indelible mark behind him through his kindness, a man who lived for his Subotica and loved his homeland Serbia more than anything. Always cheerful, full of energy and optimism, he fought all of life’s problems and bravely entered every political battle, but unfortunately he did not win the battle with the terrible illness,” Vucevic said.
The statement is given as it was published, without corrections.
Who was Stevan Bakic?
He was born on March 14, 1967, in Bar, according to the portal Subotica.com, while the daily Danas writes only that he was born in Montenegro. He grew up and went to school in Titograd, today’s Podgorica, where he finished the secondary school of economics in 1985. A year later he completed the reserve officers’ school in Bileca and earned the rank of captain in the reserve.
He continued his education in sports and economics:
- In 1999 he graduated from the College for Sports Coaches in Belgrade and became a senior sports coach
- In 2002 he graduated from the Faculty of Physical Culture in Nis, as a professor of physical culture
- In 2006 he graduated from the Faculty of Service Business in Sremska Kamenica, as a graduate economist
From the customs office to the head of the city
He began his career in 1987 at the Jasenica customs office, where he worked until 1991. From 1991 to 2003 he was employed at the customs office in Subotica, and from 2006 to 2008 at the Subotica Student Center. From 2008 he worked at Elektrodistribucija Subotica, part of Elektrovojvodina of Novi Sad. He was head of the public procurement service from April 29, 2008, to January 30, 2014, when he was appointed director of the branch.
His first major step in politics came in 2016, when he was elected a councillor in the Subotica City Assembly in the local elections. He led the SNS council group and also served as president of the party’s City Board in Subotica.
He was first elected mayor on August 21, 2020. After the 2024 local elections he was entrusted with a second term, so he led the city for just over six years.
