The Communist Party became Romania's ruling political party in the 1940's.  It exerted its power over the country's entire governmental structure.  Only a small percentage of Romania's people belonged to the Communist Party.  However, Communist leaders held important positions at all levels of government and in major nongovernmental organizations.  The general secretary, who headed the Communist Party, had the authority of a dictator. 

The Communist Party leaders made the country's laws and planned every detail of its economy.  They also controlled Romania's police and armed forces, and therefore had power over the lives of the people. 

Romania's Constitution guaranteed such rights as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.  However, the Communists interpreted the Constitution to mean that they could limit these rights in order to maintain power. 

In December 1989, Romanians revolted and overthrew the Communist government.  Free multiparty elections to select a president and members of a national legislature were held in mid-1990.  Romania adopted a new Constitution in late 1991. 

National government.  Romania's top government official is the president, who is elected by the people.  The president appoints a prime minister, who selects a Cabinet to help carry out the operations of government.  The people elect a 486-member two-house legislature.  It consists of the 143-member Senate and the 343-member Chamber of Deputies. 

Political parties.  Romania has about 50 political parties.  The largest of these parties is the Democratic Convention of Romania.  The country's other political parties include the Social Democratic Party of Romania, the Social Democratic Union, the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania, the Greater Romania Party, and the Party of Romanian National Unity. 

Local government.  Romania is divided into 40 counties and 1 special district, the city of Bucharest.  Each unit has its own local government, as do cities, towns, and communes (rural areas) within the counties. 

Courts.  The Supreme Court is Romania's highest court.  It hears appeals from the country's lower courts.  The city of Bucharest and each of Romania's 40 counties have a county court and a variety of lower courts. 

Armed forces.  Romania's regular army, navy, and air force have a total of about 200,000 men.  Men 18 years old may be drafted, usually for 16 months.