Ion Iliescu, former Romanian President, died in Bucharest at the age of 95 after a battle with lung cancer. Hospitalized since June, his death was announced by the government, which expressed condolences. Iliescu was a pivotal figure in postcommunist Romania, emerging as a leader after the 1989 overthrow of Nicolae Ceausescu. He served as Romania's first freely elected president from 1990 to 1996, though his tenure included violent power transfers. He advanced Romania's NATO and EU accession during his second term from 2000 to 2004. He faced charges for crimes against humanity in 2018, which are set to proceed in trial.
Iliescu was one of the most controversial politicians in the period of democracy that followed the December 1989 overthrow of long-standing dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. He had been a government minister before being sidelined by Ceausescu in the early 1970s.
Romania joined NATO and the EU under Iliescu's leadership, specifically during his second term from 2000 to 2004, when significant steps were taken towards European integration.
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