Party of Free Change

The Party of Free Change (Romanian: Partidul Liber-Schimbist, PLS) was a satirical political party in Romania, founded by Octavian Andronic and with Ștefan Cazimir as its first president. Its name, message and symbols were overt references and homages to Ion Luca Caragiale, the classical Romanian humorist; building on an inside joke, its agenda praised opportunism and even encouraged members to leave the party. However, the PLS was also criticized for its alleged links with the ruling National Salvation Front (FSN), and for being one of the many groups which split the vote in the general election of 1990 and local ones of 1992. It won a seat in Chamber, taken by Cazimir, and several positions on local councils; it was also considered for the government coalition built by Theodor Stolojan in late 1991.

While criticized in many contexts for allegedly serving as the FSN's vehicle, the PLS had appeal as an elaborate joke among disgruntled intellectuals. At various times, its rank-and-file included comedian Dem Rădulescu, scholar Alexandru Călinescu, and singer-songwriter Doru Stănculescu, as well as scores of others of literary and artistic professionals. Changes in the electoral legislation signaled its decline—a rapid one, after Cazimir had endorsed Ion Iliescu and the Democratic National Salvation Front ahead of general elections in 1992. Other party activists declared him a defector, and continued to organize separately, but failed to win any seats. Cazimir continued his political career with Iliescu's Social Democratic Party. Although technically undissolvable according to its statutes, the PLS eventually disappeared before the 1996 election. Theater director Mircea Cornișteanu was its second and last president.