Mihai Polițeanu
Mihai Polițeanu | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Ploiești | |
| Assumed office 25 October 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Andrei Volosevici |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office December 2020 – October 2024 | |
| Constituency | Prahova County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mihai Laurențiu Polițeanu 9 September 1977 Ploiești, Romania |
| Political party | Independent (since 2022) |
| Other political affiliations | USR PLUS (2019–2022) |
| Alma mater | |
| Profession | Politician, lawyer, civic activist |
Mihai Laurențiu Polițeanu (born 9 September 1977) is a Romanian politician, lawyer, and civic activist who is serving as the mayor of Ploiești since 2024. He was previously a member of the Chamber of Deputies between 2020 and 2024.
Affiliated with the USR PLUS alliance between 2019 and 2022, Polițeanu became an independent and led the civic platform Mișcarea Noi, Ploieștenii, under whose banner was elected mayor of Ploiești in 2024.
Early life and education
[edit]Polițeanu was born on 9 September 1977 in Ploiești, Romania. He completed his secondary education at the Mihai Viteazu National College in his native city, graduating in 1996. He then enrolled in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Bucharest, from which he graduated in 2000.[1]
Polițeanu pursued further academic training, undertaking postgraduate studies at the Central European University in Budapest. He subsequently studied community law at the Faculty of Law within the University of Bucharest.[1]
Civic and professional activity
[edit]Following his academic studies, Polițeanu became actively engaged in the reform of the Romanian justice system. Between 2005 and 2007, he served as an advisor to then Minister of Justice, Monica Macovei, contributing to policies aimed at consolidating the rule of law and combating corruption.[2] Among the institutional reforms supported during this period were the establishment of the Direcția Națională Anticorupție (DNA) and the creation of the Agenția Națională de Integritate (ANI), which aimed to increase transparency and accountability in public office.[2]
Between 2007 and 2009, he held positions as a communications officer within Freedom House Romania and contributed to the Academic Society of Romania's "Coalition for a Clean Parliament", an initiative promoting integrity in electoral processes.[2] From 2009 until 2015, he served as an assistant to Macovei in the European Parliament, focusing on legislative and policy issues related to judicial reform and anticorruption measures.[2]
In 2015, Polițeanu co-founded the civic platform Inițiativa România, a movement dedicated to advocating for anticorruption policies and enhancing democratic governance. Through this platform, he participated in numerous public campaigns and civic actions aimed at strengthening accountability within Romanian institutions.[1]
Political career
[edit]Deputy
[edit]In the 2020 legislative elections, Polițeanu was elected as a deputy representing Prahova County on the list of USR PLUS. During his tenure in the Chamber of Deputies, he promoted measures intended to improve transparency in public administration and to continue reforms in the justice sector.[2]
In 2022, he announced his departure from USR, citing disagreements with the party's local leadership and accusing it of aligning too closely with the National Liberal Party (PNL) at the municipal level. Following this decision, he continued his activity as an independent.[2]
Mayor of Ploiești
[edit]In the context of the 2024 local elections, Polițeanu declared his candidacy for mayor of Ploiești as an independent, supported by the civic association Mișcarea Noi, Ploieștenii. His platform centred on modernising municipal administration, combating what he characterised as a duopoly of Social Democratic Party (PSD) and PNL control, and promoting transparent governance. In April, his civic group formed an electoral alliance with the national political party REPER to contest seats in the Prahova County Council.[3]
In June 2024, Polițeanu won the mayorship election with around 25% of the vote, surpassing both Bogdan Nica, the candidate of PNL, and the incumbent mayor Andrei Volosevici, who switched from PNL to PSD.[4][5] He described his victory as evidence that an anti-system political alternative could successfully challenge established parties in local elections.[6]
Polițeanu was formally sworn into office on 25 October 2024, during a public ceremony in which he stated his commitment to cooperate constructively with the local council while expecting the same level of responsibility towards the city's development.[7]
Personal life
[edit]Polițeanu is engaged to Elena, a native of Pașcani, Iași County. He also has a sister residing in Ploiești. Their father, originally from Fântânele, passed away in 2003.[1]
Electoral history
[edit]Mayor of Ploiești
[edit]| Election | Affiliation | Main round | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | Percentage | Position | ||
| 2024 | Independent (supported by Mișcarea Noi, Ploieștenii and REPER) |
17,913[5] | 1st | |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Despre Mihai Polițeanu". politeanu.ro. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ^ a b c d e f "Cine e Mihai Polițeanu, omul care a plecat din USR şi a câştigat ca independent primăria unui mare oraş". Adevărul. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ^ "Deputatul Mihai Polițeanu și REPER au făcut alianță la Ploiești, pentru Consiliul Județean". PressHub. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ^ "Rezultate alegeri locale 2024. Mihai Polițeanu a câștigat Primăria Ploiești". Adevărul. 2024-06-10.
- ^ a b "Independentul Mihai Poliţeanu a câștigat Primăria Ploiești cu 25,5% din voturi, la peste 5 procente de candidații PNL și PSD". Hotnews.ro. 2025-06-12. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ^ "Cum a ajuns un independent primar al Ploieștiului. Mihai Polițeanu: Puterea mea este exact ca aceea a unui primar membru de partid". Digi24. 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ^ "Primarul Ploieştiului, Mihai Laurenţiu Poliţeanu, după ce a depus jurământul de învestire în funcţie: „Veţi găsi în mine un partener onest, dar aştept în schimb responsabilitate faţă de soarta oraşului"". Ziarul Prahova. 2024-10-25. Retrieved 2025-07-01.