Bucarest mayor Nicusor Dan, a quiet center mathematician, will face the far right candidate in the second round of Sunday’s presidential election, trying to keep Romania in his European pro-union path and calm the market spirits by forming a government.
A recent survey showed that 55-year-old Dan was tied with Euro George Simion, who took a wave of popular anger against traditional parties to win a first round victory on May 4, causing the country’s pro-western government to fall.
Anyone elected president will need to appoint a prime minister and see a new government installed quickly to reduce Romania’s budget deficit, the largest EU, reassure investors and avoid relegation of credit classification.
“Romania can’t afford to luxury at this time,” Dan A Simion, 38, told a recent debate.
“Romania cannot afford to talk about early elections. Romania cannot afford to talk against foreign investors, saying that we will only accept those we want.”
Dan has promised quick conversations with pro-European and pro-total parties and has a majority trading history as independent mayor of the Romanian capital for two terms.
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Simion, who opposes the help of Ukraine and criticizes the EU leadership, said he could not rule out the possibility of early parliamentary elections to get the Prime Minister and the majority governor they want.
Dan is a mathematician formed by Sorbonne with a history of activism against unbridled real estate development and corruption before entering politics. Described as methodical and quiet, he is a family man and usually takes his daughter to school.
Firmly in favor of the EU and NATO, he said that Romania’s support to Ukraine was crucial to his own safety against the growing Russian threat. He promised to end corruption and reduce economic inequalities.
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“This election is not just about the president of Romania, but about the entire direction and government of Romania in the coming years,” said Siegfried Muresan, vice president of the PPE group in the European Parliament and Romanian deputy.
“A pro-European president will have the power to install a pro-European government,” he said.
The Russian War in Ukraine has made Romania one of the main stakeholders in the EU trade in the Black Sea and an ally in the East Flag of NATO.
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The president is responsible for the Romania defense council, which decides on military aid and supervises foreign policy, with the power to veto the EU votes that require unanimity between the Member States.
While Dan hit the university -educated voters living in large cities, Simion calls on the working class diaspora and residents of small towns and villages, who are feeling left behind.
He is campaigning with the “Romania first” slogan, advocating conservative policies, Euroceticism and alignment with the US Movement.
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“Dan has already reached Simion, but he needs to go to small cities and rural areas,” said Sergiu Miscoiu, professor of political science at Babes-Bolyai University.
