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Presidency of Nicușor Dan

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Nicușor Dan
Official portrait, 2025
Presidency of Nicușor Dan
26 May 2025 – present
CabinetBolojan cabinet
PartyIndependent
Election2025
SeatCotroceni Palace

Official website

Nicușor Dan's current tenure as the president of Romania began upon his inauguration as the 6th president on 26 May 2025.

2025 election

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Dan, who previously served as Mayor General of Bucharest from 2020 to 2025 announced his candidacy for the 2025 Romanian presidential election on 16 December 2024 following the cancellation of the 2024 Romanian presidential election due to alleged Russian interference in favour of Călin Georgescu. The decision was made following polling that indicated a chance of success.

On 7 March 2025, Dan formally filed his candidacy to the Central Electoral Bureau after receiving the required signatures,[1] with the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) validating his candidacy on 16 March.

Dan during a presidential debate with George Simion on 8 May 2025

Early on, polls for the first round on 4 May indicated a clear lead to George Simion from the Alliance for the Union of Romanians party with a tight race between Dan and A.Ro candidate Crin Antonescu. In the end, Simion won 40.96 per cent of the vote in the first round, while Dan defeated Antonescu for second round with less than a percentage point. In the runoff on 18 May, Simion was heavily favoured to win, with Dan winning an unexpected[2][3] 53.6–46.4% victory against Simion.[4] Dan defeated Simion particularly among urban voters, women and ethnic minorities, notably Hungarians.[3]

Transition period, inauguration, and first 100 days

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Transition period

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With the president of Romania from 2014 to 2025 having resigned to political pressure on 12 February, the office had since then been held by interim president Ilie Bolojan. On the day after the election, president-elect Dan met with interim president Bolojan.[5] Following the meeting, Dan stated that he sought to form a cabinet of pro-European parties, PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR and national minorities, and indicated Bolojan as his proposal for the position of prime minister, the interim prime minister at the time being Cătălin Predoiu. Having previously conceded the election,[5] Simion filed an objection of the results to the CCR on 20 May, alleging mass voter fraud.[6][7] Two days later, the CCR official validated the election during a plenary session with Dan and Bolojan present.[8] On 21 May, Dan informally met with the EU parliament president Roberta Metsola.[9] On his last day before taking office, Dan visited the Polish capital Warsaw to speak at a campaign event, endorsing Polish presidential candidate Rafał Trzaskowski.[10] Trzaskowski's subsequent defeat days later to PiS-endorsed candidate Karol Nawrocki was described as a blow to Dan's attempt to establish a pro-EU allies in Eastern Europe.[11]

Inauguration

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The inauguration took place on 26 May at the Cotroceni presidential palace. In his inauguration speech, Dan said that the Romanian state needed "fundamental change" and "positive pressure" on its institutions to reform, adding that he would support the creation of a guarantee fund for Romanian investments in Moldova and the expansion of cultural and academic exchanges.[12] Concurrently, Dan's partner of 20 years, Mirabela Grădinaru, became first lady, an unofficial title.[13]

Government formation

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Dan's first weeks in office were marked by government negotiations.[14][15] During the campaign, Dan had supported Ilie Bolojan for prime minister. However, the acting chairman of the PSD, Sorin Grindeanu, argued that since the PSD was the largest party in the proposed coalition, it should hold the prime minister position. He proposed a rotating premiership between the PSD and PNL, similar to the arrangement used to resolve the 2021 political crisis, when the office rotated from Nicolae Ciucă (Ciucă Cabinet) to Marcel Ciolacu (Ciolacu I and II). Dan and the PSD opposed this solution, favouring a stable government instead.[16]

On 12 June, Adevărul reported on increasingly tense negotiations with internal leaks to the press.[17] By 15 June, Journalist Cristian Tudor Popescu criticised the PSD for letting the negotiations go into deadlock by not accepting Bolojan as PM.[18][19] The deadline for the approval of a new prime minister was 20 June, before the government would have lost its power.[20] On 16 June, Dan hinted that he would appoint Bolojan prime minister later that week.[21]

Domestic policy

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Corruption

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See also: Corruption in Romania

On 29 May 2025, the CCR ruled that the asset and interest declarations of public officials, including information regarding the property and income of their spouses and relatives, will no longer be publicly accessible.[22] Journalist Cristian Tudor Popescu scrutinised the decision, describing is as a major setback to Dan's anti-corruption agenda.[23] Dan also criticised the ruling, stating "If the reasoning behind the decision identifies technical deficiencies in the current legislative framework, it is the responsibility of Parliament to correct them swiftly".[24] University of Bucharest PhD law professor Ionuț-Bogdan Dima stated on 13 June that he believed the decision revolved around the idea invoked by the CCR according to which the publication of asset declarations would be an intrusion into private life, stating "It is a proportionality test that in fact involves the analysis of fundamental rights that are in conflict: the right to privacy of the persons obliged to submit declarations of assets, and the right of access to public information, an element of transparency that belongs to citizens".[25]

Economy

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See also: Economy of Romania

At the of taking office, Romania was experiencing the highest inflation rate among any EU member state with annual inflation at 4.9%.[26] On the day before his inauguration, Politico wrote that his presidency came at a critical time for Romania, with the threats of credit rating downgrades, a budget deficit crisis and decreasing faith in democratic institutions.[27] On 14 June, during the government negotiations, Bolojan warned that Romania was at risk of defaulting if the budget deficit was not addressed.[28]

Defence

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At his first major international meeting in Vilnius on 2 June 2025, Dan announced support for increasing Romania's defence spending to 3.5% of GDP.[29] He also held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[30]

Other

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On 31 May 2025, Dan visited the Praid salt mine in Harghita County,[31] one of the country's largest salt reserves, which had been shut down earlier than month due to severe flooding, gravely impacting the local economy.[32][33][34] On 8 June, Dan made a apperence during the final professional match of handballer Cristina Neagu, praising her career.[35] On 13 June, Dan commemorated the 30th anniversary of the June 1990 Mineriad, describing it as one of "the most painful" moments in Romania's post-communist history.[36]

Foreign policy

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European Union

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Dan with EU Parliament president Roberta Metsola on 21 May 2025

During the campaign, Dan declared himself pro-European Union and pro-Western candidate,[37] continuously emphasising Romania's commitment to the European Union, describing it as essential for Romanian political stability, security and prosperity.[38] Several European leaders congratulated Dan upon his victory, including the French president Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, former Romanian president Ion Illiescu,[39] Moldovan president Maia Sandu, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.[40][41]

United States

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See also: Romania–United States relations

On 27 May 2025, Dan held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump who days prior had announced Darryl Nirenberg his nominee for new U.S. ambassador to Romania.[42] The following day, Dan wrote on X "The U.S. is Romania's closest ally and vital strategic partner".[43]

Moldova

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See also: Moldova–Romania relations

Having announced to do so two days prior,[44] Dan paid his first visit to Moldova on 10 June, being welcomed in Chișinău by Moldovan president Maia Sandu.[45][46] One day later, he visited Ukraine.[47] AUR senate leader Petrișor Peiu described the visit as a missed opportunity to discuss the Romanian minority in Ukraine.[48]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Petrescu, Ana (16 March 2025). "CCR a respins cele trei contestații privind candidatura lui George Simion. Mesajul președintelui AUR". Digi24. Archived from the original on 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  2. ^ "Pro-EU moderate Nicușor Dan wins Romanian presidential election stunner". Politico. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Romanian election: How pro-European candidate Nicusor Dan won a surprise victory". Le Monde. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  4. ^ Henley, Jon (18 May 2025). "Centrist Nicuşor Dan defeats far-right rival in Romanian presidential election". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b "George Simion recunoaşte că a pierdut alegerile: Am fost singuri împotriva tuturor" [George Simion admits he lost the elections: We were alone against everyone]. Observator (in Romanian). 19 May 2025.
  6. ^ "Hard-right candidate who lost Romania's presidential race contests results at top court". Associated Press News. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  7. ^ Henley, Jon (20 May 2025). "Defeated Romanian ultranationalist 'will ask court to annul election'". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  8. ^ Ion, Ioana (22 May 2025). "CCR a validat rezultatele alegerilor prezidențiale. Cererea de anulare, depusă de George Simion, a fost respinsă". Libertatea (in Romanian). Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  9. ^ Petrescu, Ana (22 May 2025). "Prima întâlnire a lui Nicușor Dan cu Roberta Metsola. Președintele ales a dezvăluit tema discuțiilor". Digi 24 (in Romanian). Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  10. ^ "VIDEO Nicușor Dan, discurs la mitingul candidatului pro-european din Varșovia. Ce mesaj a transmis în limba poloneză - HotNews.ro" (in Romanian). 25 May 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  11. ^ "Nicușor Dan îl felicită pe noul președinte al Poloniei, Karol Nawrocki: "Aștept cu nerăbdare să colaborăm"". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 3 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  12. ^ Moldova, Europa Liberă (26 May 2025). "Nicușor Dan a devenit oficial președinte al României. Relația cu R. Moldova, printre priorități". Radio Europa Liberă (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  13. ^ Niță, Milena (21 May 2025). "Românii au decis pe cine vor ca prima-doamnă a României între Mirabela Grădinaru și Ilinca Simion". Libertatea (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  14. ^ Eremia, Radu (13 June 2025). "Propunerea PNL care a făcut șah mat PSD. Ultimele calcule pentru noul Guvern: cine se încălzeste pentru ministere". Libertatea (in Romanian). Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  15. ^ Gherghiță, Ana (13 June 2025). "Avertismentul lui Ilie Bolojan: "Niciun guvern care va veni nu va putea evita creșteri de taxe și impozite"". Libertatea (in Romanian). Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  16. ^ "Blocaj total în negocierile pentru noul guvern. PSD o ține cu "rotativa", dar se vorbește și de un premier-femeie tehnocrat". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 12 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  17. ^ "Contracronometru pentru coaliție: Guvernul interimar intră pe ultima sută de metri". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 12 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  18. ^ Borcea, Ștefan (15 June 2025). "CTP comentează "nașterea grea" a noului Guvern: "Nerușinarea marelui partid e mare, perfect exprimată prin rânjetele lui Grindeanu"". Adevărul. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  19. ^ "Victor Negrescu: "Disputele politice nu alimentează decât extremismul"". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 15 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  20. ^ "Contracronometru pentru coaliție: Guvernul interimar intră pe ultima sută de metri". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 12 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  21. ^ Mironescu, Lucian (16 June 2025). "Nicușor Dan îl va desemna premier pe Ilie Bolojan săptămâna aceasta. Cei doi au negociat duminică seară". Adevărul. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  22. ^ Garvey, Matthew (29 May 2025). "Ce averi au judecătorii CCR care au decis secretizarea declarațiilor de avere. Cel mai sărac are venituri de zeci de mii de euro anual". Digi 24. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  23. ^ Tarnovschi, Alin (31 May 2025). "Cristian Tudor Popescu acuză CCR de "atentat la siguranța națională" și lansează o provocare pentru Nicușor Dan". Libertatea. Archived from the original on 31 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  24. ^ "Nicușor Dan critică decizia CCR: "Este în contradicție cu un principiu esențial al democrației – transparența"". Adevărul (in Romanian). 29 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Adevărata șmecherie a deciziei CCR care secretizează averile demnitarilor și funcționarilor publici". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  26. ^ Ariton, Claudia (20 May 2025). "România este în continuare țara cu cea mai mare inflație din UE. Cum arată ultimele cifre". Digi 24. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  27. ^ Ross, Tim; Popoviciu, Andrei (25 May 2025). "Nicușor Dan starts nightmare new job as president of Romania". Politico. Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  28. ^ "Bolojan avertizează că deficitul bugetar nu mai poate fi susținut. "Nu mai putem continua aşa, am intra în incapacitate de plată"". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 14 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  29. ^ Cicovschi, Afrodita (2 June 2025). "Nicușor Dan, la Vilnius: Susținem creșterea cheltuielilor pentru apărare la 3,5% din PIB. Următorul summit va avea loc la București în 2026". Adevărul. Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  30. ^ Popescu, Rebecca; Pricop, Sebastian (2 June 2025). "Volodimir Zelenski, după discuția de la Vilnius cu Nicușor Dan: "Îi mulțumesc pentru asigurarea că Ucraina poate conta pe sprijinul continuu al României"". HotNews. Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  31. ^ Ghiurca, Narcis (31 May 2025). "Nicușor Dan, la Salina Praid: "Situația putea fi prevenită. Să se stabilească cine sunt vinovații". Ce măsuri a anunțat pentru oamenii afectați". Adevărul. Archived from the original on 31 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  32. ^ Today, Hungary (29 May 2025). "Viktor Orbán Offers Help to Szeklers in Rebuilding Salt Mine". Hungary Today. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  33. ^ "Severe flooding cripples Romania's historic Praid salt mine". euronews. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  34. ^ "Heavy floods threaten Romania's Praid salt mine, a tourism magnet". Reuters. 29 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  35. ^ Mazilu, Cornelia (8 June 2025). "Nicușor Dan a executat o aruncare de la 7 metri în meciul de retragere al Cristinei Neagu". Adevărul. Archived from the original on 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  36. ^ "Nicuşor Dan, despre dosarul Mineriadei: "Justiţia are datoria de a face lumină, ca un gest obligatoriu de respect"". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  37. ^ Cokelaere, Hanne (5 May 2025). "Centrist Nicușor Dan faces uphill battle to beat Simion in Romanian presidential runoff". Politico. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  38. ^ McGrath, Stephen (26 May 2025). "Romania's new president is sworn in as a political crisis eases, but challenges loom". AP News. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  39. ^ Borcea, Ștefan (19 May 2025). "Ion Iliescu l-a felicitat pe Nicușor Dan. "Sunt convins că veți exercita această responsabilitate cu demnitate"". Adevărul. Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  40. ^ Constantinoiu, Marina (19 May 2025). "Liderii lumii îl felicită pe Nicușor Dan pentru victoria în alegeri". Digi 24. Archived from the original on 19 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  41. ^ Popovici, Adrian (19 May 2025). "Nicușor Dan, felicitat de Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron și Volodimir Zelenski, după victoria în alegeri". Știrile ProTV (in Romanian). Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  42. ^ Enache, Bogdan (28 May 2025). "Nicușor Dan a vorbit la telefon cu Donald Trump. Președintele României a fost invitat în SUA (surse)". Digi 24. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  43. ^ Arambescu, Dana (31 May 2025). "Nicușor Dan l-a invitat pe Donald Trump în România: "Evident că președintele Statelor Unite este mult mai ocupat decât sunt eu"". Libertatea. Archived from the original on 31 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  44. ^ Dinu, Maria (8 June 2025). "Nicușor Dan, prima vizită în Republica Moldova. Șeful statului va fi primit de Maia Sandu". Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  45. ^ "Nicușor Dan, întrevedere cu președintele Parlamentului și premierul Republicii Moldova. Ce au discutat oficialii". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 10 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  46. ^ "Președintele Maia Sandu: ,,Dacă Moldova ar cădea pe mâna Rusiei, nu doar Chișinăul ar fi amenințat, ci și Bucureștiul"". adevarul.ro (in Romanian). 10 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  47. ^ "Ce a discutat Nicușor Dan cu Zelenski, la summitul de la Odesa. Mesajul clar transmis de România în Ucraina". Știrile ProTV (in Romanian). Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  48. ^ (R.C.) (12 June 2025). "Vizita lui Nicușor Dan în R. Moldova și Ucraina, "fără rezultate"". Cotidianul RO (in Romanian). Retrieved 13 June 2025.
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