The austerity measures were designed Create_artwork in part by Ceaușescu to repay foreign debts .

Shortly after a botched public speech by Ceaușescu in Bucharest ( Romania 's capital city ) that was broadcast Expressing_publicly to millions of Romanians on state television , rank-and-file members of the military switched Change , almost unanimously , from supporting the dictator to backing the protesting population .

Riots , street violence and murder in several Romanian cities over the course of roughly a week led Causation the Romanian leader to flee Escaping the capital city on 22 December with his wife , Deputy Prime Minister Elena Ceaușescu .

The National Salvation Front quickly took power after Ceaușescu was toppled Change_of_leadership , promising free and fair elections Choosing within five months .