Romanian journalist Cristian Tudor Popescu posted a scathing critique of former communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu on Facebook, labeling him a dictator who misused power, abused women, imposed harsh policies, and built the Palace of the People at great human cost. Popescu said the former leader’s actions resembled Stalin more than patriotism, pointing to the 770 decree that criminalised abortion, forced abortions, and the systematic destruction of villages for industrialisation. He highlighted that border guards targeted Romanians fleeing to the West, and that the Palace’s construction caused many deaths and destroyed historic buildings. Popescu concluded that true patriotism requires mastery of Romanian language and history, implying Ceaușescu failed in those respects. The post was a response to statements by Radu Miruta about Ceaușescu’s patriotism and aimed to dismantle that myth.

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