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NDTV
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Romania's New President Nicusor Dan Is A Math Prodigy With 2 Olympiad Gold, PhD From Paris
Romania has elected mathematician-turned-politician Nicusor Dan as its new president, delivering a clear victory over hard-right nationalist George Simion in a high-stakes runoff election. The 55-year-old secured 54% of the vote, according to AFP, in what is being seen as a strong endorsement of Romania's pro-European Union trajectory and a rejection of far-right, isolationist politics. Dan, currently serving as the Mayor of Bucharest, is no stranger to success. Long before he entered politics, he was recognised as a math prodigy, winning two consecutive gold medals at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in 1987 and 1988. Notably, he achieved a perfect score of 42 both years, a feat that placed him among the world's top young mathematicians at the time. Following his Olympiad triumphs, Dan studied mathematics at the University of Bucharest before pursuing advanced degrees in France. He holds a master's from the prestigious Ecole Normale Superieure and a PhD from Paris 13 University. After returning home, he emerged as a prominent civil activist, known for his campaigns against illegal urban development. His political rise has been closely tied to a promise of reform and transparency. In his victory speech, Dan said, "Reconstruction begins on Monday," calling the win a "moment of hope" for the country, which borders war-torn Ukraine and is a member of both the EU and NATO. With his academic brilliance and reformist agenda, Dan's presidency marks a shift in Romania's political narrative - one that blends intellectual rigour with a pro-European vision.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
This world leader is a math genius with 2 Olympiad gold medals, PhD from Paris
Before entering the political arena, Nicușor Dan was already making headlines - not in parliament, but in the world of mathematics. The 55-year-old won a tense rerun of Romania's presidential election on Sunday, beating nationalist George Simion. While he has made the news as the president elect of Romania, not many people know that Nicușor Dan is a math prodigy who has won gold at the International Mathematical Olympiad twice. According to the International Math Olympiad website, Dan won the gold medal in the tournament in 1987 and 1988. He managed to get the maximum total score of 42 points both years. His back-to-back wins came when he was still in high school, a period during which Romania consistently ranked among the top-performing nations at the IMO. After his Olympiad triumphs, he went on to study mathematics at the University of Bucharest and later at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris - one of France's most prestigious academic institutions. Nicușor Dan, currently serving as the Mayor of Bucharest, holds a master's degree from École Normale Supérieure and a PhD from Paris 13 University. After returning to Romania from Paris, Dan became a civil activist and eventually pivoted to politics. He campaigned on a slogan of change in the Romanian presidential election, saying he wants to "rebuild" the eastern European country. According to an AFP report, the former math prodigy gained 54 percent compared to 46 percent by nationalist George Simion, who had topped the May 4 first round of voting in the EU and NATO member bordering war-torn Ukraine. Dan, who was an activist fighting illegal urban development before becoming mayor, told jubilant supporters gathered in a Bucharest park that Romania's "reconstruction" would begin on Monday, calling it "a moment of hope".
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
New Romanian President Nicușor Dan and his love for maths
File photo: Romania's newly elected president, Nicușor Dan (Picture credit: AP) Romania's newly elected president, Nicușor Dan , is not just a considered reform-minded leader and civic activist, he is also a former International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) gold medallist, who once brought his country global acclaim in numbers long before politics. Dan, 55, who won the runoff election on Sunday with 54% of the vote, was part of the Romanian team that secured perfect scores in back-to-back IMO competitions in 1987 and 1988, each time achieving 42 out of 42 points and ranking first globally. Born in Brașov County, Transylvania, Dan's early brilliance in mathematics was evident when he competed in the IMO as a teenager and swept all problems with full marks. His flawless performance earned him international praise and a gold medal. He later pursued mathematics at the University of Bucharest and completed his PhD in France before returning home to engage in civic activism. On Sunday evening, thousands gathered in Bucharest as the final results were announced, chanting 'Nicușor!' and waving Romanian and EU flags. In his victory speech, Dan called the outcome 'a moment of hope.' 'In today's elections, a community of Romanians who want a profound change in Romania won,' he told supporters in a city park. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Dan defeated nationalist George Simion, who led in the May 4 first round but lost momentum amid concerns over his isolationist and far-right rhetoric. According to final data, Dan picked up nearly 900,000 more votes than Simion in the second round, with 64% of eligible voters turning out, a significant rise from the previous round. Romania's pro-West candidate Nicușor Dan wins presidential election in dramatic comeback As per AP, the result marked a political shift for Romania, affirming a pro-European and reform-oriented direction. Dan's background in mathematics has often defined his leadership style, reserved, data-driven, and methodical. Known for modernising Bucharest's heating systems and sports facilities during his term as mayor, he also led the capital out of bankruptcy. Though criticised for poor communication, political analyst Sorin Cucerai revealed that, 'He is more the managerial, administrative type but he is a very decent, honest guy.' His pro-Western stance was central to his campaign. He pledged support for Ukraine and fiscal reform, rejecting Simion's vision of a Romania pulled away from the European Union. After his win, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X, 'They have chosen the promise of an open, prosperous Romania in a strong Europe.' Dan's first major task as president will be to nominate a new prime minister, following the resignation of Marcel Ciolacu. Despite a politically divided electorate, Dan struck a note of unity on Sunday night: 'Our full respect for those who had a different choice today,' he said, according to AP. 'We have a Romania to build together.'
