The country's economic policy, based on a rapid industrialization process funded by foreign loans, collapsed in the 1980s when the country's skyrocketing debt forced the government to export much of the country's production and ration all kinds of resources. The result was intense impoverishment of the Romanian population, deprived of food, electricity, medicines, and many basic services.

"Food was rationed with tickets; it was one kilogram of sugar and one kilogram of flour per month, half a loaf of bread per day, and there were long lines to buy," reported a Romanian to the foreign press.

Amid suspicions of corruption and criticism of mismanagement, the 1980s saw growing popular dissatisfaction with the regime, which, like other socialist countries, was experiencing a severe crisis.