Mr Cioaba belonged to the Kalerash, a rich gypsy clan.

ECONOMIST: Ion Cioaba

Mr Cioaba formed the Gypsy Party and stood for parliament.

ECONOMIST: Ion Cioaba

In an interview with a German television company, Ion Cioaba argued for compensation for the families of gypsies who died in the camps, and some money has since been paid.

ECONOMIST: Ion Cioaba

Mr Cioaba did not much care for national borders.

ECONOMIST: Ion Cioaba

Mr Cioaba kept a foot in both worlds.

ECONOMIST: Ion Cioaba

During the second world war several members of Mr Cioaba's family were among the 40, 000 Romanian gypsies deported to German concentration camps (where more than 500, 000 gypsies from European countries died: Auschwitz had its own gypsy section).

ECONOMIST: Ion Cioaba

At any rate, when the Ceausescu regime was toppled in December 1989 Mr Cioaba was judged to be on the right side and served on the Provisional National Council, the country's frail start towards the democracy it achieved only in 1996.

ECONOMIST: Ion Cioaba