Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu, who led the country through its tumultuous shift from communism to democracy, has passed away at 95. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and hospitalized in Bucharest in early June. “It is with deep regret that the government announces the passing of the former President of Romania, Mr. Ion Iliescu,” a government statement said.
Iliescu became Romania’s first freely elected president, serving from 1990 to 1996 and again from 2000 to 2004. He faced accusations of crimes against humanity related to the 1989 revolt that ended Romania’s communist regime but denied any wrongdoing.
Born in 1930 in Oltenita, he studied engineering in Russia before returning to Romania and joining the Communist Party. Leaving politics in 1980, he returned during the revolution in 1989. Elected president in 1990 with the Social Democratic Party, he was re-elected for a term but lost in 1996. He returned to power in 2000, during which Romania joined NATO and pursued EU membership.
In recent years, Iliescu withdrew from public life, facing charges of crimes against humanity but never convicted. In 2018, prosecutors formally charged him over his role in the 1989 revolution, where over 1,000 people died. The charges were dropped. He also faced charges for the Mineriad of 1990, a crackdown on student protests, which were also dropped.
Iliescu’s death prompted reflections on his complex legacy. Romania’s current president referred to him as “the central character of the 90s transition,” while others acknowledged his influential role in Romania’s shift to democracy and European values after 1989.
His health had worsened in recent years, with regular medical check-ups and surgery for pericardial effusion in 2019. He had no children and is survived by his wife, Nina Serbanescu. A state funeral will be held on 6 and 7 August, with the public able to pay respects as his body lies in state in Bucharest. A military service will follow at the Ghencea Military Cemetery.