Nicu Ceauşescu

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Nicu Ceauşescu (pronounced [ˈniku tʃauˈʃesku] (September 1, 1951–September 26, 1996) was the third child of Romanian leader Nicolae and Elena Ceauşescu. He was a close associate of his father's political regime and considered the President's heir apparent.

His older siblings were Valentin (b. 1948) and Zoia (1949-2006).

[edit] Life during the communist rule

Ceauşescu wanted Nicu to become his Foreign Minister and for that, he instructed two high-ranked Party members, Ştefan Andrei and Cornel Pacoste (whom he considered brilliant Communist intellectuals) to take care of Nicu's education. However, unlike his older siblings, he disliked school and allegedly he was derided by them for never being seen reading a book.[1]

He graduated from Liceul no. 24 (nowadays named Jean Monnet High School) and then studied physics at the University of Bucharest. He was involved in Uniunea Tineretului Comunist while a student, becoming its First Secretary and then Minister of Youth Issues, being elected to the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party in 1982.[2]

As an apprentice in politics, he was mentored by Ştefan Andrei, Ion Traian Ştefănescu and Cornel Pacoste. Toward the end of the 1980s, he was made a member of the Executive Committee of the Romanian Communist Party and in 1987 its leader for Sibiu County, being prepared by his parents to be Nicolae Ceauşescu's successor. [2]

[edit] Postcommunist life and legacy

Nicu had a reputation of being a heavy drinker and a playboy since high school. Ion Mihai Pacepa allegeds that he scandalized Bucharest with his rapes and car accidents. Ceauşescu heard about his drinking problem, but his solution was the one given to every Romanian problem: he advised him to work harder.[3] He was also known for losing large sums of money gambling around the world. [2][4]

The documentary Videograms of a Revolution shows him exhibited as a prisoner on state television on December 22, 1989 after being arrested on spurious accusations of holding children as hostages and other crimes. He was also arrested in 1990 for misuse of government funds under his father's regime, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Released in November 1992 because of cirrhosis, he died four years later of the disease in a Vienna hospital.[4]

Controversy still surrounds Nicu. Many people condemn anyone associated with the communist regime. Others praise Nicu for playing what they consider a constructive role on numerous occasions, especially during his Sibiu years. [1]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Pacepa, p.62
  2. ^ a b c Stalinism pentru eternitate, p.295
  3. ^ Pacepa, p.63
  4. ^ a b "Nicu Ceauşescu, 45, Flamboyant Son Of Romania Dictator", in The New York Times September 27, 1996; p. B8

[edit] References