Ion Iliescu

Who is Ion Iliescu?

Ion Ilici Iliescu is a Romanian politician and statesman, who served as President of Romania from 1990 until 1996, and from 2000 until 2004. From 1996 to 2000 and from 2004 until his retirement in 2008, Iliescu was a Senator for the Social Democratic Party, whose honorary president he remains.

He joined the Communist Party in 1953 and became a member of its Central Committee in 1965, however beginning with 1971 he was gradually marginalized by Nicolae Ceaușescu. He had a leading role in the Romanian Revolution, being elected as Romania's first post-communist president in 1990. After a new Constitution was approved by popular referendum, he served a further two terms as president, from 1992 to 1996, and from 2000 to 2004, separated by the presidency of Emil Constantinescu.

Iliescu is widely recognized as a predominant figure in the first fifteen years of post-revolution politics. During his terms Romanian politics stabilized, and Romania joined NATO.