George D. Pallade

George D. Pallade (January 20, 1857–May 27, 1903) was a Romanian politician.

Born to a craftsman in Bârlad,^[1] Pallade graduated from the law faculty of the University of Bucharest in 1880. After working as an investigating judge in Bucharest, he began practicing as a lawyer. He taught political economy and law at the Free school of political science. His contributions appeared in a number of newspapers, including Românul and Naționalul, and he edited Gazeta poporului.^[2]

Pallade joined the National Liberal Party (PNL) in 1884. The same year, he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies. where he strongly supported C. A. Rosetti’s call for a single voter roll and press freedom. He then defected to Dumitru Brătianu’s Liberal Democratic Party, vigorously attacking the government of Ion C. Brătianu;^[2] the campaign peaked in 1885-1888, when he spoke out both in the Chamber and in the street.^[3] He was re-elected in 1888, 1891, and 1895.^[1]

In 1891, after the Brătianu brothers made peace, Pallade re-entered the PNL, being named to its executive committee.^[1][2] He found the party a useful vehicle for promoting his democratic ideals, in opposition to the conservative boyars, who feared his oratory.^[1] He held a number of ministerial portfolios under Dimitrie Sturdza: Agriculture, Industry, Commerce and Domains (October 1895–November 1896), Justice (January–October 1898), Finance (October 1898–March 1899 and February 1901–January 1902), and Interior (July–November 1902).^[2] During his second term as Finance Minister, he did not increase the state budget, in order to help Romania out of a severe economic crisis; and also supported protectionist measures against foreign capital.^[4]

In 1903, aged 46, Pallade was addressing a public gathering in Bârlad. As he said the word "talisman", he dropped dead. He was buried at Bellu Cemetery.^[5]

Notes

References

• Constantin Grigore and Miliana Șerbu, Miniștrii de interne (1862–2007), Editura Ministerului Internelor și Reformei Administrative, Bucharest, 2007. ISBN 978-97374-504-8-7