Nicusor Dan, the Mathematician Who Wanted to Reinvent Romania

Official portrait of Nicusor Dan in May 2025, just after his presidential victory

Nicusor Dan is not a politician like the others. Born in 1969 in Făgăraș, Transylvania, he stood out from adolescence for his exceptional talent in mathematics. Thus, he won the gold medal twice at the International Mathematical Olympiads, in 1987 and 1988, confirming an early vocation. At 18, he joined the University of Bucharest, then entered the École normale supérieure in Paris. There, he mingled with the European scientific elite before obtaining a doctorate at Paris-XIII in algebraic geometry.

In a modest school in Bucharest, Nicusor Dan slips his ballot in with the precision of a conscientious mathematician. In his inner pocket, a black notebook: it is said that he still records equations there, which he considers more reliable than some polls.
In a modest school in Bucharest, Nicusor Dan slips his ballot in with the precision of a conscientious mathematician. In his inner pocket, a black notebook: it is said that he still records equations there, which he considers more reliable than some polls.

However, he refused the allure of international research. In 1998, he chose to return to Romania. This return was not insignificant. In a country in democratic transition, plagued by corruption, he wanted to put his knowledge to the service of the common good. He created the association Save Bucharest! whose goal is to defend architectural heritage. Indeed, it is threatened by controversial real estate projects. The fight is tough, but he gains visibility. He becomes the voice of a new civil society, resolutely committed against cronyism and urban carelessness.

From Bucharest City Hall to the Presidency

In 2020, Nicusor Dan took the helm of Bucharest City Hall, a capital mired in chronic problems: failing public services, obsolete collective heating systems, chronic financial deficits. He defeated the outgoing social-democratic candidate and began a mandate focused on modernizing infrastructure. Additionally, he focused on budgetary recovery while displaying a commitment to transparency. He then embodied a rare figure: that of the engineer turned manager, devoid of populist rhetoric but driven by a logic of repair.

With his partner Mirabela, the mother of their child. She is described as a discreet lawyer and a committed feminist. He, austere but tender. Together, they form a duo that the Romanian press affectionately calls
With his partner Mirabela, the mother of their child. She is described as a discreet lawyer and a committed feminist. He, austere but tender. Together, they form a duo that the Romanian press affectionately calls “the Republic of Balance.”

His re-election in 2024, with a comfortable margin, propelled him to the national stage. And it was in a dramatic context that he decided to take a new step. In December 2024, the presidential election was annulled following revelations of Russian interference, causing a shockwave. At 55, Nicusor Dan launched an express campaign. Initially trailing 20 points behind his far-right opponent George Simion, he closed the gap thanks to unprecedented citizen mobilization. He won with 54% of the votes in the second round, supported by the young, urban, and middle classes.

A Program for a European and Integral Romania

Upon his election, Nicusor Dan defined a clear line. He aims to be the guarantor of a European Romania, faithful to its international commitments. He reaffirmed his support for Ukraine and strengthened ties with the European Union. Furthermore, he consolidated Romania’s anchoring in NATO. His speech on the evening of January 20 was unambiguous: "We are part of the free world, and we intend to stay there."

On the domestic front, he launched the project "Honest Romania", which aims to establish an uncompromising administration based on transparency, competence, and probity. He intends to moralize public life, restore trust, and reduce the influence of clientelist networks. This ambitious program includes a constitutional reform announced for 2026. Moreover, it is focused on the independence of the judiciary and the framing of presidential powers.

From the balcony of the University of Bucharest, he addresses a sea of people. Below him, a blue starry umbrella held up by a student becomes the viral icon of a European and awakened Romania.
From the balcony of the University of Bucharest, he addresses a sea of people. Below him, a blue starry umbrella held up by a student becomes the viral icon of a European and awakened Romania.

Controversies and Shadows

Despite his image as a new man, Nicusor Dan does not escape criticism. In 2017, he left the USR party, which he had founded, refusing to take a stand on the issue of same-sex marriage. This neutrality, presented as a position of principle, divides. In 2000, an op-ed deemed homophobic, where he described public homosexuality as an "attack on collective identity," resurfaced. He has since claimed to have evolved, regretting a phrase "unsuited to the complexity of social issues."

In 2024, a falsified document claimed to demonstrate his collaboration with the Securitate, the former communist secret service. The matter was quickly debunked. However, it illustrates the fragility of Romanian public debate, still marked by the specters of the past. His discreet style, sometimes deemed distant, can also be a disadvantage. Indeed, the media landscape is eager for charisma and grandstanding.

Nicusor Dan appears with his partner, including on his social media. The images conveying the picture of a close couple have made headlines in international news. This reassuring symbol illustrates a campaign without fanfare, rooted in nature and stable values.
Nicusor Dan appears with his partner, including on his social media. The images conveying the picture of a close couple have made headlines in international news. This reassuring symbol illustrates a campaign without fanfare, rooted in nature and stable values.

A Still Uncertain Political Equation

His election to the head of the state has not resolved internal tensions. He still needs to appoint a Prime Minister capable of uniting, while traditional parties remain divided. The economic crisis resulting from post-pandemic inflation and the Ukrainian conflict threatens social stability. The medical shortage, brain drain, and territorial inequalities persist. His legitimacy, still young, will need to be consolidated through action.

Supporters of George Simion continue to contest the results, speaking of a "deep state operation." Sporadic demonstrations occur in several cities. But the majority of Romanians, attached to a European trajectory and keen to avoid authoritarian drift, have made a clear choice. That of a sober, demanding man who believes in reason more than in incantation.

A Promise of Political Ethics

Nicusor Dan perhaps embodies a form of political ethics that Romania had not known since the fall of Ceaușescu. His scientific background, independence, and intellectual rigor make him an exception. Indeed, he has no major compromises in a region often dominated by populist or corrupt figures.

The challenge is immense. But the man seems ready to face it. He is today more than a symbol. He is a chance, fragile but real, for a modern Romania, democratic and faithful to its European ideals. A Romania that, in a troubled world, is still seeking its place without renouncing its values.