Iliescu led the country during the transformation from a communist state to democracy. He was president during the years 1990–1996 and 2000–2004.
"It is with deep sorrow that the government announces that the former president of Romania, Mr Ion Iliescu, has passed away", the government writes.
Iliescu founded in 1993 the social democratic Partidul Social Democrat (PSD). But his democratic conviction was strongly questioned by the opposition. This after in June 1991 having allowed student demonstrations to be put down with violence by "voluntary" miners.
During his last term, he led Romania into NATO. He then also signed the accession agreement to become a member of the EU, which the country became in 2007.
Iliescu's time after the presidency was marked by allegations of crimes committed during the revolution in 1989 – including that he had spread disinformation that fueled the violence that led to many losing their lives. In 2019, he was prosecuted for crimes against humanity but the trial was never completed.
Iliescu passed away on Tuesday. Details about his state funeral will be announced in the coming days.
