Romania has sworn in newly elected President, Nicusor Dan, ushering in a tentative close to the worst political crisis to grip the European Union country in decades after the annulment of the previous election.
Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician and former Mayor of the capital, Bucharest, decisively won the tense rerun in a runoff on May 18, 2025, beating his hard-right opponent George Simion, who later challenged the results at a top court, but was rejected last week.
The May election redo was held months after the Constitutional Court voided the previous election in which the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu led the first round, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow has denied.
The court’s unprecedented decision last year plunged Romania, which is a member of NATO as well as the EU, into a period of unprecedented political turmoil.
In the presidential election rerun, Dan ran independently on an “Honest Romania” ticket, reaffirming Western ties, continued support for Ukraine, and fiscal reforms.
Many observers viewed the election outcome as crucial to maintaining Romania’s place within Western alliances, especially as the war continues in neighboring Ukraine.
At the same time, the continent scrambles to arm itself as the United States’ commitment to European partners has waned under US President Donald Trump.
The presidential role carries a five-year term and significant decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy.
Dan Vows To Tackle Romania’s Economic Woes
At the inauguration ceremony in a joint session of Parliament, Dan signed the constitutional oath.
In a speech afterward, he promised to tackle Romania’s economic woes and to be a President “open to the voice of society.”
“The Romanian state needs a fundamental change … and I invite you to continue to be involved with all the social force you have proven, to put positive pressure on the institutions of the Romanian state so that they can reform.
“I assure you that I will be a president who listens to the voice of society and who is a partner to that society.”
Nicusor Dan
Addressing the economic challenges that lie ahead, Dan said that the Romanian state “is spending more than it can afford.”
He added that it is in the national interest for Romania to send a message of stability to financial markets. He added, “It is in the national interest to send a signal of openness and predictability to the investment environment.”
As Dan begins his mandate, he faces the immediate challenge of nominating a prime minister who can garner the support necessary to form a government, a tall order in a country where a rejection of the political class led to the emergence of figures like Georgescu and Simion.
Dan will also have to contend with a string of other crises, such as a large budget deficit, deep societal divisions exposed by the chaotic election cycle, and the war that drags on next door.
Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political consultant, opined that forming a new cabinet will be “a major test” that will indicate whether Dan can is capable of mediating between the fragmented political parties.
“Dan will face fierce resistance from the state apparatus and old politicians in his pursuit to start reforms. Although the economic crisis is urgent, the political and societal divisions are those that the new President has to address in the longer term.”
Cristian Andrei
He added that, with populism growing in popularity, a deeper political crisis was “put on hold and a new one will be in the making” ahead of future elections. “The success of his presidency will decide if we can avert such a crisis or not,” he said.
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