Maniu, Iuliu (b. 8 Jan. 1873, d. 3 Jan. 1953). Prime Minister of Romania 1928–30, 1932–3 Born in Simleul-Silvaniei (
Transylvania), he was elected to the Hungarian Parliament in 1906, where he pressed for the minority rights of Romanians living in his home area. He served in the
Austro-Hungarian army, but in May 1918 helped to organize a successful mutiny of Romanian troops. He became a pivotal figure in achieving Transylvanian admission to Romania in 1919. His political experience served him well as a leading member of the Transylvanian Nationalist Party (TNP), which he made into a major political force on the platform of
nationalism. In 1926, he became leader of the National Peasant Party (NPP), after the merger of the TNP with the Peasant Party. The NPP received over 75 per cent of the vote in the 1928 elections. His government tried to attract foreign investment, promoted the consolidation of agricultural lands, and generally passed legislation to favour the peasantry. Ultimately, however, his reforms had limited effect owing to the onset of the Great
Depression. Weakened by inter-party squabbles and the return of
Carol II, he resigned in 1930. Despite his hostility to Carol, he briefly returned as Prime Minister, only to resume his opposition to the King in 1933. To this end, he even formed a brief alliance with the
Fascist Iron Guard in 1937. Despite initial support for
Antonescu, he became a leading member of the resistance movement and was instrumental in overthrowing Antonescu in 1944, and bringing Romania into the war against Germany. Although he had been allied with the Soviet Union, he was a strong anti-Communist and in 1947 was imprisoned by the new regime, and sentenced to solitary confinement for life. He died in prison.
