Serbian Social Democratic leader who won international renown by voting against war budgets before the Balkan Wars
Born in Užice, he worked in a bakery and a mechanic shop and as a municipal clerk while teaching himself socialism. Influenced by Svetozar Marković, he followed Kautsky, and in 1903 founded the Serbian Social Democratic Party with Dimitrije Tucović. As a deputy in the Skupština in 1905–1908 and 1912–1919 he voted against war budgets before the Balkan Wars and the First World War and advocated a Balkan federation. Inside the party he took centrist positions against Tucović's left wing. After 1919 he opposed the Bolsheviks and affiliation to the Comintern, was expelled from the Yugoslav communist party in 1920, founded a reformist Socialist Party and then left politics to write the history of the Serbian labour movement.
Also known as: Dragutin Lapčević · Dragisa Lapcevic
Activities and affiliations
- 1903–1919 Political and party leadership
- 1912–1919 Legislature and state representation
Career Timeline
- 1903Co-founded the Serbian Social Democratic Party
- 1905–1908Deputy in the Serbian Skupština
- 1912–1919Deputy in the Skupština; voted against war budgets
- 1920Expelled from the Yugoslav communist party
- 1921Co-founded the reformist Socialist Party of Yugoslavia