1. ALEXANDRU AVERESCU
Boldeanu Marius
Alexandru Averescu (3 April 1859 – 2
October 1938) was a Romanian marshal
and populist politician. A Romanian
Armed Forces Commander during World
War I, he served as Prime Minister of
three separate cabinets (as well as
being interim Foreign Minister in
January–March 1918 and Minister
without portfolio in 1938). He first rose
to prominence during the peasants'
revolt of 1907, which he helped repress
in violence. Credited with engineering
the defense of Moldavia in the 1916–
1917 Campaign, he built on his
popularity to found and lead the
successful People's Party, which he
brought to power in 1920–1921, with
backing from King Ferdinand I and
the National Liberal Party (PNL), and with
the notable participation of Constantin
Argetoianu and Take Ionescu.
His controversial first mandate, marked by a political crisis and oscillating support
from the PNL's leader Ion I. C. Brătianu, played a part in legislating land reform and
repressed communist activities, before being brought down by the rally of
opposition forces. His second term of 1926–1927 brought a much-debated treaty
with Fascist Italy, and fell after Averescu gave clandestine backing to the
ousted Prince Carol. Faced with the People Party's decline, Averescu closed deals
with various right-wing forces and was instrumental in bringing Carol back to the
throne in 1930. Relations between the two soured over the following years, and
Averescu clashed with his fellow party member Octavian Goga over the king's
attitudes. Shortly before his death, he and Carol reconciled, and Averescu joined
the Crown Council.
Group:8104
