Ion Iliescu, the former Romanian president who helped oust dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu only to be accused of co-opting the revolution and unleashing violence on democratic protesters, has died at the age of 95.
In a bland public statement, the Romanian government said
It is with deep regret that the government announces the passing of the former President of Romania, Mr Ion Iliescu.
Iliescu was a divisive figure. Involved in the Communist Party until 1980, he returned to politics during the uprising against the ruling Ceausescu regime—where he led armed resistance during the popular revolt.
Elected as the Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in 1990, he won re-election for a four-year term. Defeated in 1996, his third and final term from 2000 saw Romania join NATO and apply for membership of the European Union.
Throughout his post-Communist political career, he was dogged by allegations concerning violence in the 1989 rebellion and in the 1990 ‘Mineriad,’ where miners broke up the student protests that followed his election.
Romania’s current President Nicusor Dan declared
It is our responsibility to clarify the major unresolved cases of that era, in order to move forward with full awareness …. may God forgive him.
A two-day state funeral is scheduled to start on Wednesday, August 6th.
