Octavian Goga

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Octavian Goga (April 1, 1881, Răşinari, nearby Sibiu, at the time part of Austria-Hungary—May 7, 1938) was a Romanian nationalist politician, poet, playwright, journalist, and translator.

He was an active member in the Romanian emancipation movement in Transylvania. Before World War I, he was arrested by the Hungarian authorities. At different intervals until the union of Romania and Transylvania in 1918, Goga took refuge in Romania, becoming active in literary and political circles.

A founder of the National Agrarian Party, he led the minuscule Party into an alliance with A. C. Cuza's National-Christian Defense League, forming the National Christian Party.

He became Prime Minister of Romania from December 28, 1937 to February 10, 1938, being appointed by King Carol II, in a move to try to enforce his own personal dictatorship. During his short period in government he was mostly known for the first anti-Semitic laws which were passed. Besides being an anti-Semite himself, he attempted to outflank the Iron Guard's popular support.

The regime instituted by Goga and Cuza gave itself a paramilitary wing of Fascist character, the Lăncieri ("Lance-bearers"). They borrowed heavily from the Iron Guard, and started competing with it for public attention. Mainly, they were involved in violence against the Jews.

After his resignation, Goga withdrew to his estate in Transylvania, where he suffered a stroke on May 5, 1938. He died two days later. His body lay in state in Bucharest's Palace Atheneum, with a floral tribute from Chancellor Adolf Hitler adorning the glass-topped casket.