The news of the repression in Timisoara quickly spread throughout Romania. Ceausescu had just returned from a visit to Iran and, faced with the crisis, called on the population in the country's factories to attend a speech in the main square of Bucharest. In the regime's view, it was an opportunity to show the world that the Romanian people supported the government. On December 22, 1989, Ceausescu appeared on the balcony of the Communist Party's Central Committee, in front of thousands of people waving Romanian flags, which at the time bore the coat of arms between the blue, yellow, and red colors, and banners supporting the regime were distributed. Thousands of other Romanians watched the speech on official television.

At 71 years old, Nicolae Ceausescu announced an increase in the minimum wage in a crippled economy. As he communicated the measures, a group began to shout, "Out, Ceausescu," surprising everyone present and watching the speech on television. It was the first time someone had attempted to rebel in the presence of the dictator. Ceausescu's expression turned to one of surprise, broadcast on televisions around the world. Unsure of what to do, the dictator began to ask his wife, Elena, to calm down, then stood up and demanded, "Sit down and calm down."

The television then cut off the images, but the audio continued to broadcast the shouts of "Out, dictator!" Still unsure how to act, Ceausescu interrupted the speech and returned to the building. There, a violent repression of the protesters began, and hundreds more people would be killed by the Securitate in Bucharest.