Pro-European Nicusor Dan sworn in as new president of Romania after tense campaign
After months of political turmoil in Romania following an annulled presidential election last year Nicusor Dan assumed the top job last week, but multiple challenges still lie ahead.
Pro-European former mayor of Bucharest Nicusor Dan (55) was officially sworn in on Monday May 26th as president of Romania, a week after defeating his nationalist rival at the end of a tense campaign.
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.”
Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician decisively won the tense rerun in a runoff on May 18, beating his hard-right opponent George Simion, who later challenged the results at a top court, but was rejected last week.
Challenges ahead
This ushers in a tentative close to the worst political crisis to grip Romania in decades after the annulment of the previous election. But multiple challenges lie ahead.
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.
Unprecedented political turmoil
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.
The presidential role carries a five-year term and significant decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy.
In the presidential election rerun, Dan ran independently on an “Honest Romania” ticket, reaffirming Western ties, continued support for Ukraine, and fiscal reforms. Addressing the economic challenges that lie ahead, Dan said Monday that “put simply ... the Romanian state is spending more than it can afford.”
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.
Exit Georgescu
Meanwhile Calin Georgescu, the controversial populist whose bid for Romania’s presidency last year resulted in the annulment of an election in the European Union and NATO member country, announced he is stepping away from political life.
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