Ion Iliescu’s Death Marks a Controversial Chapter in Romania’s Post-Communist Transition

The death of Ion Iliescu, Romania’s first president following the violent fall of communism in 1989, brings to a close a fraught chapter in Eastern Europe’s post-Cold War history. His passing at age 95 has sparked a national debate that reverberates far beyond Romania’s borders, highlighting unresolved issues that continue to challenge democratic transitions worldwide.How Does a Nation Reconcile with Its Troubled Past?Iliescu was both architect and symbol of Romania's shift from dictatorship to democracy—a transition marred by bloodshed and political turmoil. Over 1,100 people lost their lives during the anti-communist revolution and its chaotic aftermath; notably, more than 800...