August 7, 2025, has been declared a national day of mourning throughout Romania in memory of former President Ion Iliescu.
Ion Iliescu served as President of Romania during the terms 1990-1992, 1992-1996, and 2000-2004, and was a prominent figure in post-communist Romanian politics. He played a key role in the transition from the communist regime to democracy, being the first president elected after the 1989 Revolution. During his tenure, Romania adopted a new Constitution (in 1991), laid the foundations for democratic institutions, and initiated political and economic reforms.
The Government of Romania, in an extraordinary session, adopted a decision declaring August 7, 2025, as a national day of mourning, as a sign of respect for the memory of the former Head of State, Ion Iliescu.
In accordance with the legal provisions in force, on the national day of mourning, all central and local public institutions and authorities will fly the Romanian flag at half-mast. Likewise, the national flag at half-mast will be flown at the headquarters of political parties, trade unions and employers’ organizations, educational institutions of all levels, cultural institutions, and Romanian diplomatic missions, at border crossing points, airports, ports, train stations and bus terminals, as well as on all vessels and boats sailing under the Romanian flag. The same obligation applies to individuals, if they display the Romanian flag at home or residence.
Additionally, radio and television stations, as well as cultural institutions, will adapt their broadcasts and activities accordingly.
Citizens may pay their last respects to former President of Romania, Ion Iliescu
Citizens who wish to honor the memory of former President of Romania, Ion Iliescu, will have access on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, to the Union Hall at Cotroceni Palace, where the casket with the remains of the former Head of State will lie in repose.
Public access will be through the Registry Entrance of Cotroceni Palace, located on Geniului Boulevard (Lion Statue Area), and the exit will be through the Museum Gate on Cotroceni Road. Children under the age of 14 will not be permitted entry.
Flowers and/or candles may be placed only in the specially designated area in front of Cotroceni Palace, on the sidewalk along Geniului Boulevard, and not inside the building.
Access rules for paying condolences at Cotroceni Palace:
Attire: Dark, formal/funeral clothing is required;
Entry to the Cotroceni Palace complex is subject to screening of individuals and their belongings, typically conducted by security personnel;
Talking on the phone, photography, and filming are strictly prohibited out of respect for the solemnity of the occasion;
Entry is prohibited with dangerous objects, weapons, large backpacks, suitcases, or any large items that could hinder access or compromise visitors safety;
The use of cameras, mobile phones, or any electronic devices is strictly forbidden;
Visitors are advised not to bring personal items (such as books, letters, postcards, documents, or photographs).
State funerals in honor of former President Ion Iliescu will be held on August 6 and 7, 2025.
SCHEDULE OF THE STATE FUNERAL IN MEMORY OF MR. ION ILIESCU, FORMER PRESIDENT OF ROMANIA
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025
Media access to Cotroceni Palace will be granted through the Registry Entrance on Geniului Blvd. (Lion Statue Area), between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM, based on the list of accredited journalists submitted to the Presidential Administration by the Government Press Office.
The press will have access to the Press Center until 7:30 PM.
TVR and RRA are the official broadcasters and will provide live coverage of the ceremonies.
08:30 AM – Funeral vehicle departs from “Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Hospital to Cotroceni Palace on the following route:
Strada Arhitect Mincu – Kiseleff Blvd. – Victoriei Square – Lascăr Catargiu Blvd. – Romană Square – University Square – Regina Elisabeta Blvd. – Mihail Kogălniceanu Blvd. – Eroilor Bridge – Eroii Sanitari Blvd. – Gheorghe Marinescu Blvd.
09:00 AM – Funeral procession enters Cotroceni Palace courtyard – Marinescu Gate
Honor Guard of the 30th Guard Brigade “Mihai Viteazul” is presenting honors
Press Pool: Press Pool: Journalists covering the ceremony on the Marinescu Plateau will be escorted from the Press Center at 8:10 AM to the designated press area. Access will be granted until 9:20 AM, after which they will be escorted back to the Press Center.
09:08 AM – The casket of former President Ion Iliescu is placed on the catafalque in Union Hall
09:10 AM – Military Guard of Honor takes position at the catafalque
09:15 AM – Short religious moment
09:30 AM – 12:30 (noon)- Condolences presented by high-level officials
Photo Pool: Photojournalists will be escorted from the Press Center to Union Hall starting at 9:20 AM
Condolence Book Signing in the Salonul Florilor
Photo Pool: Photojournalists will be moved from Union Hall to Salonul Florilor
01:00 PM – 06:00 PM – Condolences presented by the general public
Access through the Registry Entrance on Geniului Blvd. (Lion Statue Area)
Exit through the Museum Gate on Cotroceni Road
Flowers or candles can only be placed in the specially arranged area in front of Cotroceni Palace, in the Presidential Administration parking area on Geniului Blvd.
Photo Pool: Photojournalists will be escorted from the Press Center to Union Hall starting at 12:50 PM, with access until 6:00 PM
06:30 PM – Condolences presented by former collaborators and close acquaintances
Throughout the night, a Catafalque Guard will be provided by the 30th Guard Brigade “Mihai Viteazul”
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025 – Declared National Day of Mourning
All legal provisions regarding national days of mourning shall be observed throughout Romania and in diplomatic missions abroad.
Media access to Cotroceni Palace will be granted through the Registry Entrance (Geniului Blvd., Lion Statue Area) between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, based on accreditation.
Photo Pool: Photojournalists will be escorted from the Press Center to Union Hall starting at 9:45 AM
10:16 AM – Casket removed from the catafalque. The coffin is carried toward the official exit of the Cotroceni Palace (route: Sala Unirii – Galeria Basarabilor – Honor Hall – Portico);
Honor Lines made up of members of the Romanian Armed Forces and the Military Brass Band (trumpet) will be present at the portico;
The bell of Cotroceni Church will toll.
10:20 – Departure of the funeral procession from the Portico
The procession proceeds toward Cotroceni Church.
10:30-11:30 – Funeral religious service at Cotroceni Church
Access inside the church is granted exclusively to TVR.
11:15 – Honor Guard enters Marinescu Plateau
11:35 – Funeral procession departs from Cotroceni Palace (route: Cotroceni Church – Marinescu Gate)
Press pool on the media platform.
11:40 – Honor Guard – 30th Guard Brigade “Mihai Viteazul” – Marinescu Plateau
The funeral procession passes in front of the Guard.
Press Pool: Journalists covering the ceremony on the Marinescu Plateau will be escorted from the Press Center at 10:30 AM to the designated press area.
Funeral Procession Route:
Bulevardul Gheorghe Marinescu → Bulevardul Eroii Sanitari → Bulevardul Eroilor → Strada Bagdasar → Șoseaua Panduri → Bulevardul Geniului → Strada Răzoare → Drumul Sării → Bulevardul Ghencea → Prelungirea Ghencea → Drumul Cooperativei → Ghencea III Cemetery.
The coffin will be placed on a gun carriage at the entrance to the cemetery;
The funeral procession will form and military honors will be rendered.
Press Pool for accredited journalists
The burial will take place in the presence of the family and close friends.
ACCESS RULES FOR PRESENTING CONDOLENCES AT COTROCENI PALACE
Attire must be sober or appropriate for mourning, in dark colors.
Access is permitted only upon presentation of a valid ID.
To be granted access to the “Cotroceni Palace” Complex, visitors will undergo a security check, including personal and baggage screening, as requested by security personnel.
Children under 14 years old are not allowed to enter.
STRICTLY FORBIDDEN: talking on the phone, taking photos, or filming — out of respect for the solemnity of the occasion.
It is forbidden to bring dangerous items, weapons, large backpacks, suitcases, or any large luggage or objects that may hinder access or pose safety concerns.
The use of cameras, mobile phones, or any other electronic devices is prohibited.
Access will not be granted to persons who violate or do not comply with the established protocol and behavior rules.
Members of the public may place flowers or candles only in the specially designated area in front of Cotroceni Palace, on the sidewalk along Bd. Geniului.
Those attending Cotroceni Palace to present condolences and pay their respects at the catafalque are kindly requested to observe the following rules:
Maintain a solemn and quiet demeanor throughout the visit inside Cotroceni Palace.
Comply with internal security measures and cooperate with the specialized personnel of the Protection and Guard Service (SPP) during security checks in the courtyard and inside the Palace.
Respect the schedule of activities and follow the designated route, as well as the instructions provided by the staff of the Presidential Administration and the Protection and Guard Service. Do not bring personal items such as books, letters, postcards, documents, or photographs.
***
INFORMATION regarding the accreditation of journalists covering the State Funeral of Former President of Romania, Ion Iliescu
State funerals will be held in honor of the former President of Romania, Ion Iliescu, on August 6 and 7, 2025. The schedule and organization of the ceremonies have been established by the State Funeral Committee, together with the representative of the family.
Media access to public ceremonial events will be granted only to accredited journalists. Journalists are asked to confirm their attendance, specifying the date and location (Cotroceni Palace and/or Ghencea 3 Cemetery), and to send the following accreditation details – full name, institution, ID card series/number, press badge number – to the email address [email protected], by today at 10:00 PM.
The official broadcasters are the Romanian Television Society (TVR) and the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company, which will provide audio-video logistics, broadcast the public ceremonies live, and distribute the feed free of charge to all media institutions requesting the transmission. TVR contact person: Laura Neagu, +40 747 069 955. Satellite reception parameters for August 6, 2025 are listed below.
Press access at Cotroceni Palace via the Registry Entrance on Geniului Blvd. (Lion Statue Area) between 7:30-9:00 AM, based on accreditation at the Government Press Office
Media representatives will have access to the Cotroceni Palace Press Center until 7:30 PM
Journalists covering the ceremony on Marinescu Plateau (arrival of the funeral procession) will be picked up at 8:10 AM from the Press Center and escorted to the designated press area, with access until 9:20 AM, returning afterward to the Press Center.
After the Marinescu Plateau ceremony, accredited photojournalists will be escorted from Press Center starting 9:20 AM to Union Hall, with access until 12:00 PM.
Photojournalists will also have access to Union Hall between 1:00 PM-6:00 PM.
In Union Hall, where the wake ceremony will be held, TVR, the official broadcaster, will transmit live to all media institutions requesting the broadcast.
Press access to Cotroceni Palace via the Registry Entrance on Geniului Blvd. (Lion Statue Area) between 7:30-8:30 AM, based on accreditation to the Government Press Office.
Photojournalists will be escorted from the Press Center to Union Hall starting at 9:45 AM
Journalists covering the Marinescu Plateau ceremony (departure of the funeral procession) will be picked up at 10:30 AM from the Press Center and escorted to the designated press area.
Thursday, August 7-Ghencea 3 Cemetery
At the entrance to Ghencea 3 Cemetery, a media pool will be organized, where journalists will have access based on prior accreditation, during the military ceremony.
As of this moment, TVR is broadcasting the LIVE signal to all interested media outlets.
The funeral ceremony of former President of Romania, Ion Iliescu, will take place in the presence of family members and close acquaintances only.
Modulation – DVB-S2 8PSK, FEC – 3/4, Roll Off – 0.05, Pilot On, Symbol Rate – 7.61 Msym/s
TVR CONTRIBUTIE 1 https://tvr-tvrcon1.cdn.zitec.com/live/tvrcon1/main.m3u8
TVR CONTRIBUTIE 2 https://tvr-tvrcon2.cdn.zitec.com/live/tvrcon2/main.m3u8
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
With deep regret, the Government announces the passing of the former President of Romania, Mr. Ion Iliescu. The former Head of the Romanian State passed away today, August 5, 2025, at the “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital.
The Government of Romania conveys its condolences to his family and all those close to him.
*Details regarding the schedule of the state funeral to honour the former Head of the Romanian State, Ion Iliescu, will be communicated in due course.
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