Željko Jovanović


Željko Jovanović is a Croatian politician and physician who served as Minister of Science, Education and Sports from 2011 until 2014. He is member of the center-left Social Democratic Party of Croatia.

Early life and education

Željko Jovanović was born on November 26, 1965 in Rijeka. He graduated medicine from the School of Medicine of the University of Rijeka, and gained master's degree's in the field of biomedical sciences and in the field of marketing management. He also holds doctorate in internal medicine.

Politics

Since 23 December 2011 he has held the post of Minister of Science, Education and Sports in the centre-left government of Zoran Milanović. He received his doctorate in biomedical science and his master's degree in economics at the University of Rijeka in 2005.
On 13 January 2012, Antun Vrdoljak threatened to sue if Jovanovic did not apologize for accusing Vrdoljak, in his capacity as member of the International Olympic Committee, of "selling the candidacy of the City of Rijeka for hosting the Mediterranean games."

Personal life

Jovanović was a member of the Croatian Army during the Croatian War of Independence. He is married and has one son. His daughter Petra died in 2008 from a bacterial infection.