The ministry traditionally grew in importance at election time, due to its repressive capabilities. At the time, an election was approaching. Franasovici was presented to the public as a choice who would guarantee the integrity of the vote. He had a conciliatory attitude, particularly toward the Iron Guard, whose reprisals he greatly feared. During the campaign, the ministry used the police to block opposition activity, at times using teargas. Tătărescu lost the election, ending Franasovici's brief stint as Interior Minister. He then served as ambassador to Poland (1938-1939) and France (1939-1940). In July 1945, he became ambassador to Switzerland. The following February, he was sent to London as ambassador. He attended the Paris peace conference. In November 1947, he resigned from the diplomatic service and went into exile. The following February, the new communist regime stripped him of his citizenship. He died in Paris. Franasovici’s wife was named Mary. Her mother’s first husband, Mary’s father, was one Filipescu; the mother later married Alexandru Văitoianu, a future general. Mary and Franasovici were married after World War I. According to the memoirs of Constantin Argetoianu, the young politician was motivated by the fact that he had no property, while she owned an estate at Râmnicu Sărat. He adds: “even before the marriage she was a slut, indeed a disgusting slut. She clung to Richard, creating a scene whenever he came to see her, yelled and managed to faint”. Franasovici, whom he nicknames Richard Cœur de Cochon (“Richard the Pig-Heart”), would often go for advice to Alexandru Averescu. Once, Argetoianu was present when the two men were discussing Mary, who “was dying”. The latter, a doctor, advised Franasovici to “give her a sound beating, sir, it’ll pass right away”. Upon hearing this advice, Mary got up and spat upon Argetoianu.