If you’ve been scrolling through news feeds lately or just trying to keep up with European politics, you might be a little confused about who is running the show in Bucharest. Honestly, it's been a chaotic couple of years. One minute there’s an election, the next it’s canceled, and then there’s a resignation. It’s enough to give anyone whiplash.
So, let's settle it. Nicușor Dan is the President of Romania.
He took office on May 26, 2025. If that name sounds familiar but you can't quite place it, he was the guy running Bucharest as mayor for years. He’s a mathematician by trade—literally a guy who won gold medals at the International Mathematical Olympiad—who decided to trade equations for the messy world of Romanian civic activism and, eventually, the Cotroceni Palace.
The Wild Path to the Presidency
You can't really understand who is Romania president without looking at the absolute circus that happened at the end of 2024. Most people expect elections to be a straightforward A or B choice. Romania decided to go off-script.
Initially, a guy named Călin Georgescu, an independent with some pretty controversial pro-Russian and anti-NATO views, shocked everyone by winning the first round in late 2024. He basically came out of nowhere, fueled by a massive TikTok campaign. But then, things got weird.
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The Constitutional Court stepped in and annulled the whole thing.
They cited evidence of Russian interference and "hybrid warfare" designed to tip the scales. It was a massive deal. Protests hit the streets. Klaus Iohannis, the long-standing president, had to stay in office past his term just to keep the lights on while the country figured out what to do.
A Resignation and a Rerun
Eventually, Iohannis had enough. He resigned in February 2025 after a lot of political pressure and some impeachment threats from the far-right. This left Ilie Bolojan, the Senate President, as the acting head of state for a few months.
When the rerun finally happened in May 2025, Nicușor Dan—running as an independent—stepped up. He wasn't the favorite at first. George Simion, the leader of the AUR party, had a ton of momentum. But in the runoff on May 18, 2025, Dan pulled it off with about 53.6% of the vote.
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It was a "stop the far-right" moment for a lot of Romanians.
What Nicușor Dan Actually Does
In Romania, being president isn't exactly like being the U.S. President. You don't just sign an executive order and change the tax code. It’s more about the "big picture" stuff.
- Foreign Policy: He’s the face of the country on the world stage. Since taking office, Dan has been working hard to patch things up with the EU and NATO after the 2024 election scare.
- National Security: He heads the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT). This is huge given that Romania shares a long border with Ukraine.
- The "Mediator" Role: He’s supposed to be the referee between the different branches of government.
He lives and works at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest. It’s a beautiful spot, but he’s likely spent more time there arguing with parliament over budget deficits than enjoying the gardens.
Why This Matters Right Now
Romania is in a bit of a tight spot. The country is dealing with a massive budget deficit, and there’s constant talk about raising taxes. Dan hasn't had a "honeymoon period." He’s been pushed into the deep end of a coalition government that is, frankly, pretty fragile.
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Most people get wrong the idea that the president has total control. He doesn't. He has to work with a Prime Minister—currently Ilie Bolojan (who moved from acting president to PM)—and a parliament that is still very much split.
If you're watching Romania from the outside, the main thing to know is that the "experiment" with a mathematician-activist president is an attempt to get back to "normal" after the 2024 meltdown. Whether a guy who solves complex geometry can solve the complex mess of Romanian bureaucracy is still the big question everyone is asking in 2026.
Actionable Insights for Following Romanian Politics
- Watch the Budget: The biggest threat to Dan’s popularity isn't his past as a mathematician, it's the upcoming tax reforms. If the economy dips, the "independent" tag won't save him from public anger.
- Check the NATO Stance: Keep an eye on his meetings with U.S. and EU officials. His primary job right now is proving that the 2024 Russian interference attempt didn't leave permanent scars on Romania's alliances.
- Monitor the AUR Party: George Simion didn't go away after losing. His party still holds significant sway in parliament, and they are the main opposition to Dan’s pro-Western agenda.
For those trying to stay updated, the official site of the President of Romania is surprisingly good for tracking his latest decrees and international visits. Just don't expect it to explain the drama—you'll need to read between the lines for that.