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Constantin Ion Parhon (October 15, 1874 - August 9, 1969) was a Romanian scientist, politician and head of state from 1947 to 1952.
He was the President of the Provisional Presidium of the People's Republic
of Romania from December 30, 1947 to April 13, 1948, and President of the Presidium of the Great National Assembly of the
People's Republic of Romania from April 13, 1948 to June 12, 1952.
He graduated in Bucharest, where he received his PhD in medicine. He was President of the Medics' and Naturalists' Society in Iasi, hospitals director, professor, and director of medical institutes. He received an Honorary Doctorate from the Caroline University of Prague in 1948.
He was a member and president of the National Romanian Academy and other scientific societies. He was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Work and received the State Prize. He liked to be called a "citizen-scientist".
In the late 19th century, he became politically inclined toward the Communist Party of Romania. Years later, he protested against Romania's participation in World War II. In November 1944, he became President of the Romanian Association for Strengthening the Ties with the Soviet Union. He was a deputy in parliament between 1946 and 1961.
After the forced abdication of King Michael on December 30, 1947, the Deputies' Assembly adopted Law No. 363, by which Romania became a People's Republic and the Constitution of 1866 (with major amendments in 1923) was repealed. The same law provided for a Presidium composed of five members (elected by the Deputies' Assembly) to exercise the executive powers in the state. Parhon became
in a short time the President of the Presidium, thus exercising the most important function in the state.
On April 13, 1948, the parliament adopted a new Constitution, after the Soviet model, which entrusted the supreme powers to the Great National Assembly, which in turn elected a Presidium, composed of a president, three vice-presidents, a secretary and 14 members. Parhon was elected the same day as President of the Presidium, though the real power in the state was exercised by the Communist Party.
He resigned from this position in June 1952, dedicating the rest of his life to scientific research. He is buried in the round hall of "The Monument of the Heroes for the Freedom of the People and of the Motherland, for Socialism" in the King Carol Park in Bucharest.
He wrote four medical works in various fields of study.
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