Nicușor Dan: From Math Olympian to Romanian President

Nicușor Dan: From Math Olympian to Romanian President

Romania’s newly elected president, Nicușor Dan, is not only a reform-minded leader and civic activist but also a former International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) gold medallist.

Dan, 55, secured 54% of the vote in Sunday's runoff election. He was part of the Romanian team that achieved perfect scores at the IMO in 1987 and 1988, ranking first globally each time.

Early Life and Education

Born in Brașov County, Transylvania, Dan’s mathematical brilliance was evident early on. He later pursued mathematics at the University of Bucharest and earned his PhD in France.

Political Career and Victory

Thousands gathered in Bucharest to celebrate his victory. In his speech, Dan hailed the outcome as “a moment of hope.” He defeated nationalist George Simion, whose isolationist views were rejected by voters.

Future Challenges

Dan’s pro-Western stance and pledge to support Ukraine were central to his campaign. His first major task as president will be to nominate a new prime minister. He emphasized unity, calling on Romanians to build a better future together.