Iliescu

Iliescu refers to Ion Iliescu, a prominent Romanian politician who served as President of Romania on multiple occasions. He played a significant role in the Romanian Revolution of 1989, which overthrew Nicolae Ceaușescu's communist regime. Iliescu then became a leading figure in the post-communist transition of Romania.

Born in 1930, Iliescu had a long career within the Romanian Communist Party before the revolution. Following the fall of communism, he co-founded the National Salvation Front (FSN) and quickly rose to power. He was elected President of Romania in 1990 and served until 1996. He was later re-elected President and served a second term from 2000 to 2004.

His presidency was marked by significant economic reforms and efforts to integrate Romania into Western structures like NATO and the European Union. However, his tenure also faced criticism and controversy, including accusations related to the violent suppression of protests during the early post-revolutionary period, particularly the miners' invasions of Bucharest in 1990 and 1991.

Iliescu remains a divisive figure in Romanian politics, with supporters crediting him with stabilizing the country during a turbulent period and initiating democratic reforms, while detractors point to his communist past and the controversial events that occurred under his leadership. He has largely retired from active political life but continues to be a subject of discussion and historical analysis.