Indicators of Democratization in Romania

The process of democratization of the Romanian society, which started in December 1989, following the removal of the communist regime, has several peculiarities. The new authorities managed to stay in power until the autumn of 1996, after their left wing party (The National Salvation Front – FSN) won the free multi-party elections of 1990 in which several other parties participated too, and the elections of 1992 (this time under the name of Party of Social Democracy). A new Constitution was adopted and the institutions of the state of the right were established. Although marked by tension and conflicts, especially during 1990–1991, the process of democratization progressed, however, steadily, satisfying the formal indicators of democracy. The victory of the center and right-winged opposition in the elections of November 1996, revealed the alternance of parties in power and by this the consolidation of the democratic institutions in Romania.