Ion Iliescu is a Romanian politician who served as the President of Romania from 1990 to 1996 and again from 2000 to 2004. He was a key figure in the country's transition from communism to democracy after the fall of the Ceaușescu regime in 1989. Iliescu co-founded the Social Democratic Party and played a significant role in shaping Romania's political landscape during the post-communist era. Born on March 3, 1930, in Oltenita, Iliescu was involved in politics from a young age. He studied at the University of Bucharest and later became a member of the Romanian Communist Party. His leadership was marked by efforts to integrate Romania into European structures and improve its international relations, particularly with the European Union.