Nostalgia or manipulation? Two-thirds of Romanians view Ceaușescu as a good leader

A recent the INSCOP agency survey reveals that 66% of Romanians consider former communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu a good leader, while only 24% view him negatively.

The preliminary findings, announced by INSCOP Director Remus Ștefureac, point to a complex interplay of nostalgia, social dissatisfaction, and what he describes as an “information war” driven by disinformation campaigns, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok.

The study, titled Public Perception of Communism: Markers of nostalgia, conducted in July 2025 with a sample of 1,500 respondents.

Ceaușescu’s legacy and the fall of communism

Nicolae Ceaușescu ruled communist Romania from 1965 until his regime’s collapse in December 1989. His leadership was marked by authoritarian control, economic hardship, and widespread repression. Following the 1989 revolution, Ceaușescu and his wife Elena faced a swift and controversial trial, charged with crimes against the state, genocide, financial misconduct, and undermining the economy. The couple was executed on 25 December 1989, an event that symbolised the end of communist regimes across Eastern Europe.

Despite this history, Ceaușescu has experienced a resurgence in popularity, fueled by professionally produced social media content that romanticizes his era. Ștefureac attributes this to a decade-long campaign of “coordinated, serious active measures by a hostile power,” combined with widespread disinformation that exploits Romania’s current social and economic challenges.

Key survey findings

The INSCOP survey highlights a striking disconnect between historical realities and public perception:

Life before 1989: 48.4% of respondents believe life was better before the 1989 revolution, compared to 34.7% who disagree.
Corruption: 65.1% claim corruption was lower under Ceaușescu’s regime.
Public safety: 75.1% view public safety as better during the communist era.
State efficiency: 58.7% believe state institutions functioned more effectively under Ceaușescu.
Economic output: Over 68% think Romania produced more goods and services before 1989.
Cultural identity: 71.3% feel Romania has lost its cultural identity in recent years.
Education and healthcare: 49.9% say education was more accessible, and 48.6% believe healthcare was better under communism.

These findings suggest a romanticized view of the past, despite well-documented hardships such as food shortages, power cuts, and restricted freedoms under Ceaușescu’s rule.

Roots of nostalgia

Ștefureac notes that nostalgia for communism is partly a natural phenomenon, often tied to personal memories of youth or the stability provided by a highly controlled regime. For vulnerable groups, the abrupt transition to a market economy after 1989 brought economic uncertainty and social upheaval, fostering a longing for perceived security.

However, the intensity of this nostalgia – 35 years after communism’s fall, cannot be explained solely by personal sentiment.

Ștefureac warns of a deliberate “information war” amplifying these feelings through manipulative narratives. He describes a “catastrophic” level of public susceptibility to disinformation, which exploits dissatisfaction with Romania’s post-communist trajectory.

A nation at a crossroads

Romania’s political landscape has been turbulent, with recent events amplifying public discontent.

The December 2024 presidential election was marred by controversy when right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu was disqualified for alleged anti-state actions and campaign finance violations. In the second round, Bucharest Mayor Nikushor Dan won with 54% of the vote, defeating far-right leader George Simion.

Just last week, the government, led by Prime Minister Ilie Bologian, survived a no-confidence vote titled “They ruined the country and now they are forcing Romanians to pay the bill—out with the hypocritical government.”

Mission impossible: President and Prime Minister have 24 months to save Romania from itself

Signed by 131 parliamentarians from opposition parties, Alliance for the union of Romanians, The Party of young people, S.O.S. Romania, and independents, the motion followed the announcement of stringent fiscal measures aimed at reducing Romania’s budget deficit to below 6% of GDP by 2026. These measures include higher value-added taxes, increased excise duties, and a freeze on public sector salaries and pensions until the end of 2026.

Addressing the nostalgia trap

The INSCOP survey underscores a critical challenge for Romania: addressing the social and economic frustrations that fuel nostalgia for a repressive past.

The glorification of Ceaușescu reflects not only manipulated historical memory but also dissatisfaction with the present.

Exprts say that Romania’s leadership must respond with more than condemnation of disinformation – it must tackle the root causes of public discontent through effective governance, economic stability, and transparent communication.

Sources used: The Romania Journal, Reuters, IBNA

Caption: The Red News’ magazine that tourists receive as souvenir after a city tour with an old communist Dacia car, in Bucharest, Romania, 17 February 2021 (issued 20 April 2021). More than three decades after the fall of the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu, the aesthetic of that time, marked by oppression and deprivation, has become fashionable in Romania, especially among ‘hipsters’ and foreign tourists. One way to get a glimpse of Bucharest’s historical scars from Europe’s troubled 20th century is ‘ The Red Patrol’ tour. It allows visitors to explore the city as a passenger or driver of an old Dacia, a car brand created by Ceausescu. EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT