The former prime minister of Romania, Radu Vasile, died

Former Peasant Prime Minister, Radu Vasile, died this morning at the age of 71, following a terminal illness, said the family.

Radu Vasile was the leading member of PNTCD and obtained three senator warrants, two under the Romanian Democratic Convention sign, and the last during 2000-2004 from the Democratic Party.

Radu Vasile was, among others, Vice President of the Senate in two sessions between 1993-1998 and Head of Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

He was Prime Minister of Romania during the presidential term of Emil Constantinescu, between 1998-1999.

Radu Vasile has also published several books of poetry under the pseudonym Radu Mischie.

In recent years he retired from public life due to health problems.

Radu Vasile was "a politician of courage, who has served the country"

Former leader of the Christian Democrats, Vasile Radu said that Radu Vasile was "a politician of courage, who has served the country," adding that the last time he talked with former prime minister was last month, when he showed interested in reforming the PNŢCD , according to Mediafax.

Vasile Lupu said that he had a collaboration of over 20 years with Radu Vasile.

"We talked about a month ago and he was interested in reforming the PNTCD and ready to re-engage in rebuilding the party under the reservation of his health development. He was optimistic", said Vasile Lupu.

Former leader of the Christian Democrats also said that Radu Vasile is part of the "intellectuals after 1990 had assumed responsibility in building a democratic line in Christian democratic Romania, in a party, Christian Democrats, who paid the most in the communist and post-communist during the transition."

According to Agerpres, Basescu expressed Wednesday his regret over the death of former Prime Minister Radu Vasile, pointing out that it was a good prime minister that Romania had within a very difficult period.

"I start by expressing condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Radu Vasile. And I also express my deep regret for the passing of Radu Vasile. I have to say he was a prime minister in a very difficult period, at a time when we question whether Romania enters in a period of default on payments or not and yet he found resources and intelligence to say 'yes' to programs which are now implemented or under implementation", said the President, in a declaration made at the International Airport "Henri Coanda", before traveling to the Conference on Youth Employment, held in Berlin.

Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea

MTTLC, Bucharest University