Former Romanian President Traian Basescu has undergone ‘emergency’ heart surgery in Paris, according to multiple media reports.
The reports said the former president, 73, had the surgery late last week following a routine checkup connected to stents in his heart. There was no further information about the reported surgery and no official confirmation.
Mr. Basescu, who was president from 2004-2014, was last seen in public on May 26 when President Nicusor Dan was sworn in as president in front of the Romanian Parliament. During the tense electoral campaign, six months after presidential elections were annulled over allegations of Russian meddling, Mr. Basescu urged Romanians to reject the nationalist frontrunner and vote for Mr. Dan to keep Romania in the Western orbit.
As president, the former sea captain was disliked for his combative way of doing politics, encouraging his younger daughter into a political career, and allegations of corruption. But he was also very popular among Romanians, admired for his leadership skills, courage and indisputable talent for politics.
The reports came after another former president, Ion Iliescu, 95, was hospitalized to an intensive care unit last week after contracting a lung virus. Doctors have reported a slight improvement in his condition.
Mr. Băsescu received treatment for a heart condition in 2006 when doctors inserted stents into his heart.
In March 2022, during his mandate as a member of the European Parliament, he was hospitalized in Brussels.
In 2007, under Mr. Basescu’s presidency, Romania joined the European Union. As president, he was impeached by Parliament twice but survived two referendums to remove him.
He was granted Moldovan citizenship in 2016, but it was stripped the next year by pro-Russian President Igor Dodon who accused Basescu of calls to unite Romania and Moldova.
Health update on ex-Romanian president Ion Iliescu who remains in intensive care
