Post-communist Romania refers to the period following the fall of the communist regime in 1989, marked by the overthrow of Nicolae Ceaușescu. This transition led to significant political, economic, and social changes as the country moved towards a democratic system and a market economy. Since then, Romania has joined various international organizations, including NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007. The country has experienced economic growth, but challenges such as corruption, infrastructure issues, and social inequality remain. The post-communist era has also seen a resurgence of cultural expression and a focus on human rights.