The President of Romania is the head of state, representing the nation and serving as the guarantor of national independence, unity, and territorial integrity. Directly elected by citizens for up to two five-year terms, the president steers foreign policy, serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and mediates between the powers of the state and society. The office was originally established in 1974 under communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu before being re-established as a democratic institution following the 1989 Romanian Revolution and the 1991 Constitution.