Nicușor Dan Sworn in as Romanian President Amid Political Turmoil

Nicușor Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician and former mayor of Bucharest, was sworn in as Romania's new president on May 26, 2025, concluding a period of political instability triggered by the annulment of the previous year's election due to alleged Russian interference. (apnews.com)

Dan's inauguration marks a pivotal moment for Romania as he inherits a nation grappling with economic difficulties, political fragmentation, and societal divisions. His commitment to pro-European Union policies and institutional reforms is seen as a beacon of hope for restoring democratic integrity and economic stability.

Background on the Annulment of the 2024 Presidential Election

The 2024 Romanian presidential election, held on November 24, 2024, was annulled by the Constitutional Court on December 6, 2024, citing significant concerns over Russian interference. The court's decision was based on declassified intelligence reports indicating that Romania was the target of "aggressive hybrid Russian attacks" during the election period. (rfi.fr)

These reports detailed a coordinated disinformation campaign on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, aimed at boosting the profile of independent candidate Călin Georgescu. Despite declaring no advertising budget, Georgescu's campaign saw a surge in support, attributed to the activation of approximately 25,000 pro-Georgescu TikTok accounts two weeks before the election. (washingtonpost.com)

In addition to the social media campaign, Romania's electronic electoral infrastructure faced about 85,000 cyberattacks on election day, further compromising the integrity of the electoral process. (pism.pl)

The 2025 Presidential Election and Dan's Victory

In response to the annulment, a new presidential election was scheduled for May 2025. Nicușor Dan, known for his anti-corruption activism and tenure as Bucharest's mayor, ran on a pro-European Union platform emphasizing institutional reforms and fiscal responsibility. He defeated hard-right candidate George Simion in a runoff election held on May 18, 2025. (apnews.com)

Dan's victory was seen as a reaffirmation of Romania's pro-Western trajectory. In his inaugural address, he emphasized the need for structural reform, economic stability, and increased public involvement in governance. (apnews.com)

Challenges Facing President Dan

Upon taking office, President Dan faces several pressing challenges:

• Economic Stability: Romania is grappling with a substantial budget deficit, reported at 9.3% of GDP in 2024. Dan has set a "realistic" target to reduce the deficit to 7.5% in 2025 without implementing tax hikes, aiming to reallocate approximately 30 billion lei ($6.7 billion) within the budget. (reuters.com)

• Political Fragmentation: The Romanian Parliament is notably fragmented, with the far-right controlling about a third of the seats. This composition poses challenges in forming a stable government and passing necessary reforms. (ft.com)

• Defense Commitments: Amid regional instability, particularly due to the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine, Dan has expressed strong support for increasing defense spending. He aligns with NATO's proposal to raise defense expenditures to 3.5% of GDP, plus an additional 1.5% for infrastructure and cybersecurity. (ft.com)

Social and Societal Implications

The annulment of the 2024 election and the subsequent political turmoil have led to widespread public protests and a decline in trust toward democratic institutions. Far-right movements have capitalized on these events, framing the annulment as evidence of a "deep state" conspiracy, thereby deepening societal polarization and legitimizing populist rhetoric. (ecfr.eu)

International Reactions

Dan's election has been welcomed by Romania's European allies and investors, signaling a pro-Western trajectory. Leaders from across Europe, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have congratulated Dan on his victory. (reuters.com)

Conclusion

President Nicușor Dan's inauguration represents a critical juncture for Romania as it seeks to navigate economic challenges, political fragmentation, and societal divisions. His commitment to pro-European Union policies and institutional reforms offers a path toward restoring democratic integrity and economic stability. The success of his presidency will depend on his ability to address these challenges and unite a divided nation.