History of Nicușor Dan in Timeline

Nicușor Dan is a Romanian politician currently serving as the Mayor of Bucharest since 2020. Before entering politics, Dan was a prominent mathematician, achieving international recognition with gold medals at the International Mathematical Olympiads in 1987 and 1988. He also holds a PhD from the École normale supérieure in Paris. Prior to his mayoral role, Dan was known as a civic activist, demonstrating his commitment to public service and urban development. His background in mathematics and activism shaped his approach to political leadership in Bucharest.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

December 1969: Nicușor Dan's Birth

In December 1969, Nicușor Daniel Dan was born in Făgăraș, Brașov County.

Others born on this day/year

1987: Gold Medal at International Mathematical Olympiad

In 1987, Nicușor Dan secured a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad.

July 1988: Purported Securitate document emerges

In July 1988, a purported Securitate document surfaced, alleging Nicușor Dan's collaboration with the secret police, containing information he provided about his high school peers involved in the International Mathematical Olympiads of 1987 and 1988.

1988: Graduation from Radu Negru High School and Second Prize in International Mathematical Olympiad

In 1988, Nicușor Dan graduated from Radu Negru High School in Făgăraș and also won first prize again in the International Mathematical Olympiad with a perfect score.

1988: Second Gold Medal at International Mathematical Olympiad

In 1988, Nicușor Dan won another gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad.

1992: Move to France for Studies

In 1992, Nicușor Dan moved to France to continue studying mathematics at the École Normale Supérieure.

1998: Completion of PhD and Return to Bucharest

In 1998, Nicușor Dan completed a PhD in mathematics at Paris 13 University and returned to Bucharest.

1998: Founded "Tinerii pentru Acțiune Civică" Association

In 1998, Nicușor Dan founded the Asociația "Tinerii pentru Acțiune Civică" (Young People for Civic Action Association) to gather young people who wanted to change Romania.

1998: PhD from École normale supérieure

In 1998, Nicușor Dan obtained a PhD from the École normale supérieure in Paris.

2000: Rejection of "homosexual behaviour in public spaces in Romania"

In 2000, Nicușor Dan expressed his disapproval of "homosexual behaviour in public spaces in Romania" in an article published in Dilema veche, viewing it as a threat to traditional values.

2000: Organized Forum for Young People

In 2000, the "Tinerii pentru Acțiune Civică" Association organized a forum for young people who studied abroad.

2002: Second Forum for Young People

In 2002, the "Tinerii pentru Acțiune Civică" Association organized a second forum for young people who studied abroad.

2006: Founded "Salvați Bucureștiul" Association

In 2006, Nicușor Dan founded the Asociația "Salvați Bucureștiul" (Save Bucharest Association) to fight against demolition of architectural heritage and diminishing green spaces.

March 2008: Published "Bucharest, an urbanistic disaster" Report

In March 2008, the Asociația "Salvați Bucureștiul" published the "Bucharest, an urbanistic disaster" Report, discussing Bucharest's problems and ways to overcome them.

2009: Changes in Urban Planning Law

In 2009, the "Salvați Bucureștiul" Association was able to push some changes to the urban planning law.

November 2011: Announced Candidacy for Mayor of Bucharest

In November 2011, Nicușor Dan announced his candidacy for Mayor of Bucharest at a café on Arthur Verona Street.

2011: Professor of Mathematics

As of 2011, Nicușor Dan was a professor of mathematics at the Romanian Academy's Institute of Mathematics.

2011: BAC Financial Advisory SRL acquired Getica OOH

In 2011, Matei Paun's firm, BAC Financial Advisory SRL, acquired Getica OOH from News Corp via Russian VTB Bank and Alpha Capital Partners.

2012: Published list of unkept promises

On April Fools' Day in 2012, Nicușor Dan published a list of 100 electoral promises made by elected mayor of Bucharest Sorin Oprescu which were not kept, including the "Pact for Bucharest".

2014: Accusations About Ties to Russian and Belarusian Interests

Nicușor Dan faced accusations over his ties with businessman Matei Păun, who was linked to Russian and Belarusian firms and oligarchs. Păun allegedly boasted of financing Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and made statements questioning 2014 Western sanctions on Russia.

2015: Launch of Save Bucharest Union

In 2015, Nicușor Dan launched the Save Bucharest Union, focusing on anti-corruption and heritage preservation.

2015: Registered Save Bucharest Union (USB) as a political party

In 2015, Nicușor Dan registered Save Bucharest Union (USB) as a political party.

May 2016: Birth of daughter

In May 2016, Nicușor Dan and his partner, Mirabela, welcomed a daughter.

2016: Co-founded Save Romania Union (USR)

In 2016, Nicușor Dan co-founded the Save Romania Union (USR) and served in the Chamber of Deputies.

2016: Ran for Mayor of Bucharest

In 2016, Nicușor Dan ran for Mayor of Bucharest, gaining 30,52% of the total votes, losing to Gabriela Firea.

2016: Announced Save Bucharest Union Will Change Name

Shortly after the 2016 local election, Nicușor Dan announced that the Save Bucharest Union would change its name to Save Romania Union (USR) and shift its focus to a national stage.

June 2017: Resigned from USR

On June 1, 2017, Nicușor Dan resigned from the Save Romania Union (USR) due to disagreements over the party's stance on a referendum regarding the definition of marriage in the Romanian Constitution.

2017: Resignation from Save Romania Union (USR)

In 2017, Nicușor Dan resigned from the Save Romania Union (USR).

March 2019: Briefly Rejoined USR

In March 2019, Nicușor Dan briefly rejoined USR to provide his signature for their alliance with PLUS, then resigned again.

May 2019: Announced Plans to Run for Mayor Again

In May 2019, Nicușor Dan announced his plans to run for Mayor of Bucharest again as an independent.

October 2020: Confirmed as Mayor of Bucharest

On 5 October 2020, Nicușor Dan's status as the new Mayor of Bucharest was confirmed by the Central Electoral Bureau after winning the elections with 42.81% of the votes.

2020: Elected as Bucharest's first independent mayor

In 2020, Nicușor Dan was elected as Bucharest’s first independent mayor.

2020: Elected Mayor of Bucharest

In 2020, Nicușor Dan was elected as the Mayor of Bucharest.

2020: Previous Election Year Mention

In the text referencing the June 2024 election, there is also a mention of the same runner-up from 2020, Gabriela Firea, who placed second in the 2024 elections.

2021: Political Context Mention

In the text referencing the June 2024 election, there is a mention of Ludovic Orban leaving the PNL party in 2021 after losing the presidency to Florin Cîțu.

May 2022: Birth of son

In May 2022, Nicușor Dan and his partner, Mirabela, welcomed a son.

June 2024: Participated in mayoral elections for a new term

In June 2024, Nicușor Dan participated as an independent candidate for Mayor of Bucharest, supported by USR, PMP, FD and REPER and won the elections with approximately 48% of the total votes.

October 2024: Intervention at Piața Unirii

On 14 October 2024, Nicușor Dan intervened at Piața Unirii to halt construction work initiated by Sector 4 mayor Daniel Băluță, citing alleged illegality due to a lack of permits.

2024: Re-election as Mayor

In 2024, Nicușor Dan won re-election as Mayor of Bucharest.

2024: Fallout with Elena Lasconi

Nicușor Dan's change of plans to run for president after previously stating he would run for mayor for another term, led to a falling out with Elena Lasconi, who placed second in the annulled 2024 elections' first round.

2025: Presidential Election Runoff

In 2025, Nicușor Dan is running as an independent for the Romanian presidential election and will face George Simion in the runoff on 18 May.

2025: Presidential Candidacy Announcement

In December 2024 (following the annulment of the 2024 elections), Nicușor Dan announced his candidacy for the 2025 Romanian presidential election.

2025: Presidential Campaign Positioning

In his 2025 presidential campaign, Nicușor Dan positioned himself as a staunch defender of Western democratic values, supporting NATO's presence in Romania.