Nicusor Dan, the pro-European mayor of Bucharest, received Romania’s presidential election on Sunday. Dan secured 54 per cent of the vote, defeating nationalist George Simion, who had led the primary spherical on Might 4 with 46 per cent.Dan, 55, campaigned on a message of change and rebuilding, promising to “rebuild” Romania and steer the nation on a pro-Western path. Talking to supporters gathered in a Bucharest park, he known as the victory “a second of hope.” “In right this moment’s elections a group of Romanians who desire a profound change in Romania received,” mentioned Dan.Romania is without doubt one of the European Union’s poorest members, with a big wealth hole. It has been ruled by the identical political elite because the fall of communism in 1989. The brand new president holds vital affect over international coverage, and Dan has overtly backed Ukraine amid the continued battle, urging voters to reject Simion’s “isolationist” stance.Dan determined to run for president after final 12 months’s elections had been cancelled by Romania’s constitutional courtroom. The vote was stopped due to claims of Russian interference, which Russia denies, and a social media marketing campaign supporting the far-right candidate Simion, who’s now banned from politics.EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen despatched her “warmest congratulations” to Dan after his election victory on her social media platform, X.Who’s Nicusor Dan?Dan was born in Brasov county, Transylvania and confirmed early promise as a arithmetic prodigy, profitable a number of worldwide competitions. He studied maths on the College of Bucharest earlier than transferring to France for his PhD. Returning to Romania, he devoted himself to preventing corruption and unlawful city improvement.Romania has been ranked as one of many EU’s most corrupt nations by Transparency Worldwide and has lengthy struggled with graft. Dan first grew to become a political activist, then shifted to electoral politics. After a number of makes an attempt, he was elected mayor of Bucharest in 2020 and received re-election in 2024. He left the celebration he based, the Save Romania Union (USR), working as an unbiased. He argued that the celebration ought to deal with corruption slightly than civil liberties, together with LGBTQ rights.Since changing into mayor, Dan has modernised the capital’s heating system and sports activities amenities and helped pull Bucharest out of chapter. Identified for his reserved nature and cautious speech, he has confronted criticism for missing decisiveness and poor communication. “He’s extra the managerial, administrative sort however he’s a really respectable, sincere man,” mentioned political analyst Sorin Cucerai.What’s forward?When voting ended at 9 pm native time (1800 GMT), official knowledge confirmed that 64% of eligible voters had taken half. Round 1.64 million Romanians dwelling overseas voted at particular polling stations, which was about 660,000 greater than within the first spherical. Within the first spherical on Might 4, the turnout was 53%.The Romanian president serves a five-year time period and holds essential powers over nationwide safety and international coverage. The winner may even have the duty of naming a brand new prime minister, after Marcel Ciolacu resigned following his coalition’s candidate failing to succeed in the runoff.
