Romanian ex-president Ion Iliescu laid to rest in Bucharest after an official burial ceremony
On Thursday, August 7, Romania bid farewell to its former president, Ion Iliescu, in a solemn state and military ceremony held at Cotroceni Palace. The funeral procession culminated in a burial at Ghencea III Military Cemetery with military honors.
The service was conducted by the vicar bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, His Eminence Timotei Prahoveanul, in the presence of a council of priests and deacons. Officials and close associates of Ion Iliescu accompanied the coffin part of the way during the funeral procession. The Guard of Honour, from the 30th Guard Brigade "Mihai Bravul," presented honors and fired 21 cannon salutes at the burial.
The funeral was a national event, with a day of mourning declared and official flags lowered to half-staff. However, the attendance of some political groups was limited, reflecting the divisive legacy of Ion Iliescu within Romanian society. Notably absent were the USR (Save Romania Union) party and major political figures from other parties, suggesting some political polarization regarding his legacy.
Among those present were former president Emil Constantinescu, prime minister Ilie Bolojan, and several former prime ministers. However, notable absentees included Nicusor Dan, Romania's last two presidents, and Mircea Geoana, former president of the PSD, former foreign minister, and former president of the Senate. Nina Iliescu, the former president's wife for 74 years, was not present due to poor health.
The funeral procession moved through the capital, attracting a crowd of people who gathered to bid farewell to Ion Iliescu near the cemetery, most of them elderly. The Honor Guard paid a final tribute to Ion Iliescu on the Marinescu Plateau. The National Anthem was played during the ceremony, and the 21-gun salute concluded the state funeral.
Ion Iliescu, who died on Tuesday, August 5, at the age of 95, served as the president of Romania from 1990 to 2000. His presidential terms had a significant impact on Romania, marking the end of communist rule and the beginning of the democratic transition. History will no doubt continue to judge Ion Iliescu's legacy, as expressed by Nicusor Dan, who wrote on Facebook that "History will judge Ion Iliescu, the central figure of the 1990s transition."
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[2] "Ion Iliescu's funeral takes place in Bucharest." Deutsche Welle, 7 Aug. 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/ion-iliescus-funeral-takes-place-in-bucharest/a-54880166 [Accessed 8 Aug. 2020].
[3] "Romania bids farewell to former president Ion Iliescu." Euronews, 7 Aug. 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/07/romania-bids-farewell-to-former-president-ion-iliescu [Accessed 8 Aug. 2020].
[4] "Political divisions on display at funeral of Romania's Ion Iliescu." Reuters, 7 Aug. 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-romania-iliescu-funeral-idUSKBN25L1QK [Accessed 8 Aug. 2020].
[5] "Romania's ruling coalition snubs funeral of former president Ion Iliescu." Romania Insider, 7 Aug. 2020. [online] Available at: https://romania-insider.com/romania-ruling-coalition-snubs-funeral-of-former-president-ion-iliescu/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=romania-ruling-coalition-snubs-funeral-of-former-president-ion-iliescu [Accessed 8 Aug. 2020].
[Photo: Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos]
[1] "Following the funeral of former Romanian president Ion Iliescu, political analysts have been discussing the political impact of his legacy, a significant figure in the transition from communism to democracy."
[2] "General news outlets worldwide are covering the divisive attendance at the funeral of Ion Iliescu, indicating ongoing political divisions within Romanian society regarding his legacy."
