Romanian president seals comeback

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Leftist Ion Iliescu has taken office as Romanian president, sealing a comeback after a four-year break.

Iliescu, a 70-year-old ex-communist who also led the country from the fall of Stalinist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989 until 1996, took the presidential oath at a joint session of parliament.

He has promised to ease poverty, crack down on corruption and carry out economic reforms during a new four-year term.

He has also pledged to steer Romania towards membership of the European Union membership, which it wants to join in 2007.

Iliescu defeated ultranationalist Corneliu Vadim Tudor in a December 10 run-off and succeeds Emil Constantinescu, a centrist who did not stand for re-election after a three-year recession.

Romania, criticised by the EU for failing to carry out sufficient market reforms under both the centrists and Iliescu's Party of Social Democracy, is the poorest of 12 nations seeking EU membership.

Analysts say Iliescu will have to prove he can deliver on pledges of free market policies and closer ties with the West.

"The first six months will be critical to show some results," said political analyst Stelian Tanase.

"The government will be trapped between the demands of voters and the demands of the EU."

Iliescu faces demands for jobs and higher incomes in a nation where almost half the population of 22.4 million live below the official poverty line.

Analysts said Iliescu could be helped by his choice of Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, an ex-foreign minister who is putting together an experienced team.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Ion Iliescu (in Romanian)

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