Zdravko Ponoš

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Zdravko Ponoš (born 3 November 1962) is a Serbian politician, engineer, and former senior military officer who has been a member of the National Assembly since 2024. He previously served as Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces from 2006 to 2008.

Early life and education
Ponoš was born near Knin in what was then Yugoslavia. He grew up in Zagreb, where he finished secondary school and studied electronic engineering. He earned a degree in electronic engineering at the Military Technical Academy in Zagreb in 1986 and later completed a master’s degree in Global Navigation Systems at the University of Belgrade in 1999. He also studied at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London and completed NATO-related courses, including STANAG 6001.

Military career
Ponoš began his military career in 1986. He rose through the ranks, becoming a colonel in 2000 and a major general in 2005. He held important roles in Serbia’s defense ministry and army reform efforts, focusing on modernization and professionalization. On 13 December 2006, he was appointed Chief of the General Staff, the youngest member of the General Staff at the time, and he was promoted to lieutenant general.

His tenure included cooperation with NATO and efforts to align the military with European standards. A conflict with defense minister Dragan Šutanovac in late 2008 led to his dismissal on 30 December 2008, and he retired from the army in 2009. During his service, he helped increase international military cooperation and maintained high public approval for the armed forces.

Post-military career
After leaving the military, Ponoš worked as a diplomatic assistant to Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Jeremić and later served in roles connected to the United Nations. He helped found the Center for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development (CIRSD). He remained active in diplomacy and international affairs, including leadership positions related to Jeremić’s work with the UN.

Political career
Ponoš entered politics in 2017, joining Jeremić’s campaign team and helping to found the People’s Party. He served as its vice-president and became a prominent opposition figure. In the 2022 presidential election, he was the joint candidate of the United for the Victory of Serbia coalition and finished second, receiving about 18 percent of the vote. After the election, he left the People’s Party and formed Serbia Centre (SRCE) in July 2022; SRCE was registered as a political party in July 2023.

In the 2023 parliamentary election, Ponoš was placed on the Serbia Against Violence list and was elected to the National Assembly. He is broadly seen as a centrist who supports Serbia’s European Union path and closer security cooperation with NATO, while opposing full membership. He advocates a peaceful solution to the Kosovo issue and is against recognizing Kosovo’s independence. He is critical of the current government’s foreign policy and believes the military should remain non-political, modernize, and offer better pay for officers.

Personal life and views
Ponoš holds both Serbian and Croatian citizenship. He speaks Serbian, English, and Russian. He is married to Zdenka Ponoš and they have one child, Alma. His interests include history, music, films, football, and The Simpsons. He has published academic papers and has served as an editor and advisor in academic and policy journals.