New President Takes Office, Pledges Reforms
From Times Wire Reports
Traian Basescu took office as Romania’s third president since the communist regime fell in 1989, and he pledged to clean up rampant corruption and carry out reforms that will ready the country for European Union membership.
Basescu, the mayor of Bucharest, replaced Ion Iliescu, who led Romania for 11 years. Basescu defeated Prime Minister Adrian Nastase earlier this month in a closely contested election.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
