Romania’s internal policy during the Nicolae Ceausescu regime

In March 1965 Nicolae Ceaușescu was designated official successor of Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej at the helm of the Romanian Communist Party (PCR). After a short period of liberalisation, between 1965 and 1971, Ceaușescu returned to a dogmatic policy and gradually acquired all political power. In the context of economic difficulties from the 1980s, the regime became increasingly secluded while the population was also submitted to starvation. Concomitantly, the communist leader and his wife built a large personality cult. In the context of major changes occurring in Eastern Europe, in December 1989 the Romanian communist regime was overthrown by a revolution.