Pollsters give it just 17% support, against 43% for Mr Iliescu's lot.

ECONOMIST: Romania

The ageing Mr Iliescu hardly looks like a leader for the 2000s.

ECONOMIST: Romania

The big winner, if only by default, looks like being Mr Iliescu.

ECONOMIST: Romania

According to published returns, the Front candidate, Ion Iliescu, won the presidential election and his forces gained large majorities in both houses of parliament.

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It is noteworthy, however, that Iliescu studied agricultural techniques in the Soviet Union and is reportedly a former classmate and personal friend of Gorbachev.

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The Iliescu government should not enjoy the same privileges and public standing as its East European neighbors which have held genuinely free and fair elections.

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Social Democrat Ion Iliescu, a former Romanian president, said the country should have an independent government for the next six months until parliamentary elections are held.

CNN: Romania's government falls after Parliament vote

In 1989, Romania's National Salvation Front named a new government headed by President Ion Iliescu, a day after announcing the execution of deposed dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

CNN: Thursday,