Candidate profile // Nicușor Dan – from civic activist to pro-European alternative
Nicușor Dan is an independent politician and the current mayor of Bucharest. He is also a candidate for the 2025 presidential election. Trained as a mathematician, he graduated from the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. In Romania, he is recognized for his civic activism, his efforts to combat corruption, and his strong pro-European stance. He became a significant political figure in the 2010s when he founded the Union Save Bucharest, which later served as the foundation for the formation of the Union Save Romania (USR).
From mathematician to mayor
Nicușor Dan was born in 1969 in Făgăraș, Romania. He studied mathematics at the University of Bucharest and earned a doctorate at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. After returning to Romania, he became actively involved in preserving Bucharest's architectural heritage by founding the "Save Bucharest" Association.
He entered politics in 2012 as an independent candidate and later established the USB party, which eventually evolved into USR, a party focused on reform. In 2020, he was elected mayor of Bucharest and was re-elected in 2024. He has been praised for his efforts against local corruption, though he has faced criticism for delaying certain reforms.
Presidential candidacy and his vision
In December 2024, following the cancellation of the November presidential elections, Nicușor Dan announced his intention to run as an independent candidate. He was the first to officially submit his candidacy and successfully collected over 200,000 signatures.
His campaign focused on anti-corruption, pro-European, and pro-NATO themes, targeting urban voters and the Romanian diaspora. He deliberately avoided populism, emphasizing concrete facts instead.
Position on the Republic of Moldova
Nicușor Dan prioritizes the relationship with the Republic of Moldova as a significant aspect of his foreign policy. In recent statements, he expressed support for Chișinău's European integration, asserting that Romania must play an active role in this process. He advocated for the transfer of expertise and facilitated access to European funds. Proposed measures include simplification of customs procedures, support for the re-acquisition of Romanian citizenship, and the establishment of a guarantee fund for Romanian investments in Moldova.
Regarding security, Dan stated that any potential military attack on Moldova would necessitate a coordinated response with NATO. In an interview with Moldova 1 in April 2025, he mentioned his desire for a democratic unification with Moldova, contingent upon the majority's will of citizens in both countries.
Simultaneously, he advocates for increased economic cooperation and the integration of Moldova's energy resources into European networks, aiming for a long-term strategy of institutional rapprochement and reduction of critical dependencies.
Second round: Decisive duel
As an independent candidate, Nicușor Dan, the mayor of Bucharest, is supported by the USR and other pro-European factions in the 2025 presidential elections. The geopolitical stakes of Dan's candidacy include strengthening Romania's Euro-Atlantic orientation amidst a backdrop of regional insecurity, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and Russia's efforts to destabilize democracies in the area.
In the first round, Dan secured 20.99% of the votes, advancing to the second round against Crin Antonescu. The second round, scheduled for May 18, is viewed as a crucial decision point between pro-European and nationalist directions. Nicușor Dan will face George Simion in this pivotal vote.
