[2]: 20–21  Whilst a student he had become a member of the Communist Party,[3] from which he was expelled in May 1982 due to his involvement in the so-called "Transcendental Meditation Affair".

[2]: 30  He received his second Alexander von Humboldt Foundation scholarship for 1983–1984, and upon his return again worked at the Institute of Art History.

[2]: 30 In April 1989, Pleșu lost his job at the Institute of Art History due to his open support of Mircea Dinescu, objected to by the communist regime.

Between 2000 and 2004, Pleșu was a member of the National College for the Study of the Securitate Archives; he resigned the latter office in protest against political pressures on the committee.

After the 2004 elections brought Traian Băsescu to the office of President of Romania, he became presidential counsellor for external affairs, a position he held until June 2005, when he resigned invoking health issues.