Catargiu, Lascar

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Lascar Catargiu (kätärjŏŏ´), 1823–99, Romanian statesman, of an ancient Walachian family. Unsuccessful as Conservative candidate (1859) against Alexander John Cuza for the rule of Moldavia, he became leader of the Conservative opposition. He served several times as premier of Romania (May–July, 1866; 1871–76; 1889; 1891–95) and effected financial and agrarian reforms.