Romanian ex-king to make trip despite ban
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BUCHAREST - Romania's exiled monarch, king Michael, plans to defy the left-wing government and fly to Bucharest tomorrow. 'The king intends to be there. He has no answer from the Romanian government and he is continuing with his travel plans,' a spokeswoman for the royal family said.
President Ion Iliescu said he would not intervene to change the government decision to refuse the exiled king a visa. The ex-king, Mr Iliescu said, was 'a foreign citizen' who would need a visa and would have to give a good reason to get one.
In a letter to supporters, the exiled king said his trip was no threat to the government: 'I will arrive as a Romanian who does not intend to contest the present constitutional order.' But Mr Iliescu said the ex-king could no longer address the Romanian people as though he were talking down from a throne. 'In Romania there is only one sovereign, the Romanian people,' Mr Iliescu said.
The ex-king drew large crowds in 1992 on his only officially sanctioned visit to the former Communist country since he was expelled by the Soviet-installed government in 1947. A return seems certain to provoke a confrontation with the government.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments