Summary
Romania’s president-elect Nicușor Dan faces urgent challenges in forming a government to secure EU funding and address a significant budget deficit exceeding 9.3% of GDP. Despite his underdog status, Dan’s victory over far-right candidate George Simion marks a new political phase, emphasizing the need for administrative and economic reforms. His preferred prime ministerial candidate, Ilie Bolojan, may lead a minority government, with the viability of collaboration with the Social Democrats (PSD) still uncertain, as they navigate internal discussions following recent political upheaval.