Changes

In June 2022, it was reported that Romania, a [[NATO]] member since 2004, was considering a law banning [[gay propaganda]] in schools and in public life.  Critics charged the bill would fuel "[[Russian]] [[propaganda]]."<ref>https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-lgbtq-rights-bill-gay-propaganda-law/31915661.html</ref>

In June 2022, it was reported that Romania, a [[NATO]] member since 2004, was considering a law banning [[gay propaganda]] in schools and in public life.  Critics charged the bill would fuel "[[Russian]] [[propaganda]]."<ref>https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-lgbtq-rights-bill-gay-propaganda-law/31915661.html</ref>

Romania has refused to send troops and to be a [[proxy]] in the [[NATO proxy war against Russia]].<ref>https://t.me/internationalreporters_eng/2717</ref>

Romania has refused to send troops and be a [[proxy]] in the [[NATO proxy war against Russia]].<ref>https://t.me/internationalreporters_eng/2717</ref>

[[NATO]] and the [[EU]] interfered in the 2024 presidential elections, canceling [[democracy|democratic elections]].<ref>https://nato.news-pravda.com/russia/2024/12/06/7973.html</ref><ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romanian-far-right-candidate-says-democracy-cancelled-along-with-election-2024-12-08/</ref><ref>https://www.theburningplatform.com/2024/12/10/eu-likely-pressured-member-state-to-cancel-election/</ref>

[[NATO]] and the [[EU]] interfered in the 2024 presidential elections, canceling [[democracy|democratic elections]].<ref>https://nato.news-pravda.com/russia/2024/12/06/7973.html</ref><ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romanian-far-right-candidate-says-democracy-cancelled-along-with-election-2024-12-08/</ref><ref>https://www.theburningplatform.com/2024/12/10/eu-likely-pressured-member-state-to-cancel-election/</ref>

==Government==

==Government==

Romania's 1991 constitution proclaims Romania a democracy and a market economy, in which human dignity, civic rights and freedoms, the unhindered development of human personality, justice, and political pluralism are supreme and guaranteed values. The constitution directs the state to implement free trade, protect the principle of competition, and provide a favorable framework for production. The constitution provides for a president, a Parliament, a Constitutional Court and a separate system of lower courts that includes a Supreme Court.  

Romania's 1991 Constitution proclaims Romania a democracy and a market economy, in which human dignity, civic rights and freedoms, the unhindered development of human personality, justice, and political pluralism are supreme and guaranteed values. The Constitution directs the state to implement free trade, protect the principle of competition, and provide a favorable framework for production. The Constitution provides for a president, a Parliament, a Constitutional Court and a separate system of lower courts that includes a Supreme Court. The Constitution is silent about the issue of [[abortion]] and the [[unborn child]], while Romania's Penal Code and health laws allow abortion up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.

The two-chamber Parliament, consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, is the law-making authority. Deputies and senators are elected for 4-year terms by universal suffrage. Elected officials at all levels of government, with the exception of the president and mayors, are selected on the basis of party lists, with parliamentary seats, city and county council representation, all allocated in proportion to party choices made by the electorate.  

The two-chamber Parliament, consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, is the law-making authority. Deputies and senators are elected for 4-year terms by universal suffrage. Elected officials at all levels of government, with the exception of the president and mayors, are selected on the basis of party lists, with parliamentary seats, city and county council representation, all allocated in proportion to party choices made by the electorate.  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—

===Political Conditions===Political parties represent a broad range of views and interests, and elected officials and other public figures freely express their views. Civil society watchdog groups remain relatively small but have grown in influence. The press is free and outspoken, although there have been incidents of politically motivated intimidation and even violence against journalists and media management, particularly prior to the 2004 national elections. Independent radio networks have proliferated, and several private television networks now operate nationwide. In addition, a large number of local private television networks have emerged.  

===Political Conditions===

Political parties represent a broad range of views and interests, and elected officials and other public figures freely express their views. Civil society watchdog groups remain relatively small but have grown in influence. The press is free and outspoken, although there have been incidents of politically motivated intimidation and even violence against journalists and media management, particularly prior to the 2004 national elections. Independent radio networks have proliferated, and several private television networks now operate nationwide. In addition, a large number of local private television networks have emerged.  

Through support of or participation in consecutive government coalitions, the UDMR has ensured the continuing influence of the ethnic Hungarian minority in national government. In addition, consecutive governments have sought to improve the socio-economic situation of the Roma minority, which continues to suffer from severe poverty in many areas and discrimination. Although according to government statistics Roma officially represent 2.5% of the population, Romani organizations claim the percentage is actually several percentage points higher.  

Through support of or participation in consecutive government coalitions, the UDMR has ensured the continuing influence of the ethnic Hungarian minority in national government. In addition, consecutive governments have sought to improve the socio-economic situation of the Roma minority, which continues to suffer from severe poverty in many areas and discrimination. Although according to government statistics Roma officially represent 2.5% of the population, Romani organizations claim the percentage is actually several percentage points higher.  

Romania has been actively involved in regional organizations, such as the Southeast Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI) and the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, and has been a positive force in supporting stability and cooperation in the area.  

Romania has been actively involved in regional organizations, such as the Southeast Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI) and the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, and has been a positive force in supporting stability and cooperation in the area.  

Romania maintains good diplomatic relations with [[Israel]] and was supportive of the [[Middle East]] peace negotiations initiated after the Gulf conflict in 1991. Romania also is a founding member of the Black Sea Consortium for Economic Development. It joined the [[International Monetary Fund]] and the [[World Bank]] in 1972, and is a member of the [[World Trade Organization]].

Romania maintains good diplomatic relations with [[Israel]] and was supportive of the [[Middle East]] peace negotiations initiated after the Gulf conflict in 1991. Romania is also a founding member of the Black Sea Consortium for Economic Development. It joined the [[International Monetary Fund]] and the [[World Bank]] in 1972, and is a member of the [[World Trade Organization]].

==Military==

==Military==

On May 26, 2022, Polish military equipment was spotted in the Romanian town of Brielle. The town is located near the Ukrainian and Moldovan borders. In addition, Polish troops have been spotted on the border between Romania and Moldova.

On May 26, 2022, Polish military equipment was spotted in the Romanian town of Brielle. The town is located near the Ukrainian and Moldovan borders. In addition, Polish troops have been spotted on the border between Romania and Moldova.

The [[United States Army]] [[101st Airborne]] ‘screaming eagles’ were deployed into NATO countries on the border of Ukraine on June 29, 2022. This was the first deployment of the Army's 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, [[Kentucky]], to Europe in 80 years. As noted by base reporting, “Elements of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and 101st Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, have been assigned to carry out the mission.” Col. John Lubas, deputy commanding officer for operations said, “We’re going to check the Russian influence and we’re going to impact the Russians’ decision-making for probably the next 10–20 years,”<ref>https://clarksvillenow.com/local/hundreds-from-101st-airborne-division-depart-fort-campbell-for-mission-in-europe/</ref>

The [[United States Army]] [[101st Airborne]] ‘screaming eagles’ were deployed into NATO countries on the border of Ukraine on June 29, 2022. This was the first deployment of the Army's 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, [[Kentucky]], to Europe in 80 years. As noted by base reporting, “Elements of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and 101st Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, have been assigned to carry out the mission.” Col. John Lubas, deputy commanding officer for operations, said, “We’re going to check the Russian influence and we’re going to impact the Russians’ decision-making for probably the next 10–20 years,”<ref>https://clarksvillenow.com/local/hundreds-from-101st-airborne-division-depart-fort-campbell-for-mission-in-europe/</ref>

On September 17, 2022, former Romanian Education Minister Andrei Marga declared: "We are in a very special situation here, and I take this with all responsibility, Ukraine exists in unnatural borders…It should cede [[Transcarpathia]] to Hungary, Galicia to Poland, Bukovina to Romania, Donbass and Crimea to Russia…These are the territories of other countries."<ref>https://azlyrics.com.az/lyrics/ex-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-romania-called-the-borders-of-ukraine-unnatural/</ref>

On September 17, 2022, former Romanian Education Minister Andrei Marga declared: "We are in a very special situation here, and I take this with all responsibility, Ukraine exists in unnatural borders ... It should cede [[Transcarpathia]] to Hungary, Galicia to Poland, Bukovina to Romania, Donbass and Crimea to Russia ... These are the territories of other countries."<ref>https://azlyrics.com.az/lyrics/ex-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-romania-called-the-borders-of-ukraine-unnatural/</ref>

[[CBS News]] reported on October 21, 2022, that ''The U.S. Army's 101st Airborne is practicing for war with Russia just miles from Ukraine's border''. In all, about 4,700 were deployed. The commanders told CBS News repeatedly that they are "ready to fight tonight," and are fully prepared to cross the border into Ukraine.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-news-russia-us-army-101st-airborne-nato-war-games-romania/</ref> Romanian citizens do not want NATO troops on their territory.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/8qx3kbYWGMjW/</ref> On October 24, Romania's Defense Minister Vasile Dincu resigned, saying he could not collaborate with the country's NATO puppet president.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romanian-defence-minister-resigns-pressured-after-ukraine-comment-2022-10-24/</ref>

[[CBS News]] reported on October 21, 2022, that ''The U.S. Army's 101st Airborne is practicing for war with Russia just miles from Ukraine's border''. In all, about 4,700 were deployed. The commanders told CBS News repeatedly that they are "ready to fight tonight," and are fully prepared to cross the border into Ukraine.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-news-russia-us-army-101st-airborne-nato-war-games-romania/</ref> Romanian citizens do not want NATO troops on their territory.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/8qx3kbYWGMjW/</ref> On October 24, Romania's Defense Minister Vasile Dincu resigned, saying he could not collaborate with the country's NATO puppet president.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romanian-defence-minister-resigns-pressured-after-ukraine-comment-2022-10-24/</ref>

On November 23, 2022, [[Spain]] announced it would send 8 F-18 and 130 troops to Romania in December 2022.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spain-send-troops-f-18-fighter-jets-romania-december-pm-says-2022-11-23/</ref>

On November 23, 2022, [[Spain]] announced it would send 8 F-18 and 130 troops to Romania in December 2022.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spain-send-troops-f-18-fighter-jets-romania-december-pm-says-2022-11-23/</ref>

On February 10, 2023, Ukrainian dictator Volodymyr Zelensky and top military commander [[Valerii Zaluzhnyi]] both issued deceptive media postings alleging that Russian missiles had violated NATO ally Romania's air space. Romania’s military put out its own statement denying that allegation. “The closest point of the target's trajectory to Romania's airspace was recorded by radar systems approximately 35 kilometers North-East of the border,” Romanian officials said.<ref>https://www.army.md/?lng=3&action=show&cat=122&obj=8026</ref>

On February 10, 2023, Ukrainian dictator Volodymyr Zelensky and top military commander [[Valerii Zaluzhnyi]] both issued deceptive media postings alleging that Russian missiles had violated NATO ally Romania's airspace. Romania’s military put out its own statement denying that allegation. “The closest point of the target's trajectory to Romania's airspace was recorded by radar systems approximately 35 kilometers North-East of the border,” Romanian officials said.<ref>https://www.army.md/?lng=3&action=show&cat=122&obj=8026</ref>

The Romanian edition of ''[[Newsweek]]'' reported in late January 2024 that Claudiu Tarziu, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party says Romania must take back its regions from western Ukraine: "We are at a crossroads… We will not be truly sovereign until we reintegrate the Romanian state within its natural borders," he reportedly stated. Northern Bukovina cannot be forgotten! Southern Bessarabia cannot be forgotten… The Hertsa land, Transylvania, everything that was and is the Romanian nation must return to the borders of one state!" The AUR leader was quoted as saying.<ref>https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-12824-us-troops-suffer-fatalities</ref>

The Romanian edition of ''[[Newsweek]]'' reported in late January 2024 that Claudiu Tarziu, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) Party says Romania must take back its regions from western Ukraine: "We are at a crossroads ... We will not be truly sovereign until we reintegrate the Romanian state within its natural borders," he reportedly stated. Northern Bukovina cannot be forgotten! Southern Bessarabia cannot be forgotten .... The Hertsa land, Transylvania, everything that was and is the Romanian nation must return to the borders of one state!" The AUR leader was quoted as saying.<ref>https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-12824-us-troops-suffer-fatalities</ref>

==Economy==

==Economy==

The new state, squeezed between the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian empires, looked to the West, particularly France, for its cultural, educational, and administrative models. Romania was an ally of the Entente and the U.S. in World War I, and was granted substantial territories with Romanian populations, notably [[Transylvania]], Bessarabia, and Bukovina, after the war.  

The new state, squeezed between the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian empires, looked to the West, particularly France, for its cultural, educational, and administrative models. Romania was an ally of the Entente and the U.S. in World War I, and was granted substantial territories with Romanian populations, notably [[Transylvania]], Bessarabia, and Bukovina, after the war.  

Most of Romania's pre-World War II governments maintained the forms, but not always the substance, of a liberal constitutional monarchy. The fascist Iron Guard movement, exploiting a quasi-mystical nationalism, fear of communism, and resentment of alleged foreign and Jewish domination of the economy, was a key destabilizing factor, which led to the creation of a royal dictatorship in 1938 under King [[Carol II]]. In 1940, the authoritarian General Antonescu took control. Romania entered World War II on the side of the Axis Powers in June 1941, invading the Soviet Union to recover Bessarabia and Bukovina, which had been annexed in 1940.  

Most of Romania's pre-World War II governments maintained the forms, but not always the substance, of a liberal constitutional monarchy. The fascist Iron Guard movement, exploiting a quasi-mystical nationalism, fear of communism, and resentment of alleged foreign and Jewish domination of the economy, was a key destabilizing factor that led to the creation of a royal dictatorship in 1938 under King [[Carol II]]. In 1940, the authoritarian General Antonescu took control. Romania entered World War II on the side of the Axis Powers in June 1941, invading the Soviet Union to recover Bessarabia and Bukovina, which had been annexed in 1940.  

In August 1944, a coup led by King Michael, with support from opposition politicians and the army, deposed the Antonescu dictatorship and put Romania's battered armies on the side of the Allies. Romania incurred additional heavy casualties fighting alongside the Soviet Union against the Germans in Transylvania, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.  

In August 1944, a coup led by King Michael, with support from opposition politicians and the army, deposed the Antonescu dictatorship and put Romania's battered armies on the side of the Allies. Romania incurred additional heavy casualties fighting alongside the Soviet Union against the Germans in Transylvania, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.  

[[File:King Carol I portrait.JPG|thumb|King Carol I.]]

[[File:King Carol I portrait.JPG|thumb|King Carol I.]]

According to the officially recognized 2004 Wiesel Commission report, Romanian authorities were responsible for the death of between 280,000 and 380,000 Romanian and Ukrainian Jews in the territories under Romanian jurisdiction (including Bessarabia, Bukovina, and Transnistria) out of a population of approximately 760,000. In addition, 132,000 Romanian Jews were killed by the pro-Nazi Hungarian authorities in Transylvania.A peace treaty, signed in Paris on February 10, 1947, confirmed the Soviet annexation of Bessarabia and northern Bukovina, but restored the part of northern Transylvania that was granted to Hungary in 1940 by Hitler. The treaty also required massive war reparations by Romania to the Soviet Union, whose occupying forces left in 1958.  

According to the officially recognized 2004 Wiesel Commission report, Romanian authorities were responsible for the death of between 280,000 and 380,000 Romanian and Ukrainian Jews in the territories under Romanian jurisdiction (including Bessarabia, Bukovina, and Transnistria) out of a population of approximately 760,000. In addition, 132,000 Romanian Jews were killed by the pro-Nazi Hungarian authorities in Transylvania. A peace treaty, signed in Paris on February 10, 1947, confirmed the Soviet annexation of Bessarabia and northern Bukovina, but restored the part of northern Transylvania that was granted to Hungary in 1940 by Hitler. The treaty also required massive war reparations by Romania to the Soviet Union, whose occupying forces left in 1958.  

The Soviets pressed for inclusion of Romania's heretofore negligible Communist Party in the post-war government, while non-communist political leaders were steadily eliminated from political life. King Michael abdicated under pressure in December 1947, when the Romanian People's Republic was declared, and went into exile.  

The Soviets pressed for inclusion of Romania's heretofore negligible Communist Party in the post-war government, while non-communist political leaders were steadily eliminated from political life. King Michael abdicated under pressure in December 1947, when the Romanian People's Republic was declared, and went into exile.  

[[File:Nicolae Ceaucescu 1978.jpg|left|250px|thumb|[[Nicolae Ceausescu]], 1978.]]

[[File:Nicolae Ceaucescu 1978.jpg|left|250px|thumb|[[Nicolae Ceausescu]], 1978.]]

By the late 1950s, Romania's communist government began to assert some independence from the Soviet Union. Nicolae Ceausescu became head of the Communist Party in 1965 and head of state in 1967. Ceausescu's denunciation of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and a brief relaxation in internal repression helped give him a positive image both at home and in the West. Seduced by Ceausescu's "independent" foreign policy, Western leaders were slow to turn against a regime that, by the late 1970s, had become increasingly harsh, arbitrary, and capricious. Rapid economic growth fueled by foreign credits gradually gave way to economic autarchy accompanied by wrenching [[Ascesis|austerity]] and severe political repression. In 1984, Romania was the only [[Eastern Europe]] country that sent athletes to that year's [[Olympic Games]] in [[Los Angeles]].  

By the late 1950s, Romania's communist government began to assert some independence from the Soviet Union. Nicolae Ceausescu became head of the Communist Party in 1965 and head of state in 1967. Ceausescu's denunciation of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and a brief relaxation in internal repression helped give him a positive image both at home and in the West. Seduced by Ceausescu's "independent" foreign policy, Western leaders were slow to turn against a regime that, by the late 1970s, had become increasingly harsh, arbitrary, and capricious. Rapid economic growth fueled by foreign credits gradually gave way to economic autarky accompanied by wrenching [[Ascesis|austerity]] and severe political repression. In 1984, Romania was the only [[Eastern Europe]] country that sent athletes to that year's [[Olympic Games]] in [[Los Angeles]].  

After the collapse of Communism in the rest of Eastern Europe in the late summer and fall of 1989, a mid-December protest in Timisoara against the forced relocation of an ethnic Hungarian pastor grew into a countrywide protest against the Ceausescu regime, sweeping the dictator from power. Ceausescu and his wife were executed on December 25, 1989, after a cursory military trial. About 1,500 people were killed in confused street fighting. An impromptu governing coalition, the National Salvation Front (FSN), installed itself and proclaimed the restoration of democracy and freedom. The Communist Party was dissolved and its assets transferred to the state. Ceausescu's most unpopular measures, such as bans on private commercial entities, independent political activity, [[birth control]] and [[abortion]] were repealed, as was the requirement that all [[typewriters]] were to be registered with the Government.  

After the collapse of Communism in the rest of Eastern Europe in the late summer and fall of 1989, a mid-December protest in Timisoara against the forced relocation of an ethnic Hungarian pastor grew into a countrywide protest against the Ceausescu regime, sweeping the dictator from power. Ceausescu and his wife were executed on December 25, 1989, after a cursory military trial. About 1,500 people were killed in confused street fighting. An impromptu governing coalition, the National Salvation Front (FSN), installed itself and proclaimed the restoration of democracy and freedom. The Communist Party was dissolved and its assets transferred to the state. Ceausescu's most unpopular measures, such as bans on private commercial entities, independent political activity, [[birth control]] and [[abortion]] were repealed, as was the requirement that all [[typewriters]] were to be registered with the Government.