site.btaWho Will Take Over as Bucharest Mayor after Dan Resigns

With the appointment of Nicusor Dan as President of Romania, the position of Mayor of Bucharest will remain vacant, which means that new elections will follow soon, local media reported. The names of potential candidates have already surfaced on the political scene after they declared their intention to join the race for the post. Several names close to the new President are also circulating, Digi24 said.

The candidates

One possible option is Ciprian Ciucu, the current mayor of Bucharest's Sector 6 and First Vice President of the National Liberal Party (PNL). Ciucu is in his second term.

Daniel Baluta, member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and mayor of Bucharest's Sector 4, is another possible candidate.

Former mayor of Bucharest and current MEP Gabriela Firea also expressed her interest in the position.

The name of Vlad Gheorghe, a close associate of Dan, was also floated by the media.

Another possible candidate is Catalin Drula, a former member of the USR leadership.

Dan Trifu, Deputy Chair of the Eco-Civica movement, announced his candidacy.

The procedure

Following the confirmation of the results of the presidential election by the Constitutional Court, Nicusor Dan is obliged to resign as mayor. The position is declared vacant, and the executive must submit a calendar for local by-elections. The government has 90 days to set a date.

Until the election is held, leadership functions will be carried out by an acting mayor appointed from among the current deputy mayors. Bucharest has two deputy mayors – Adrian Vigheciu of the PSD and Stelian Bujduveanu of the PNL. Bucharest City Hall will vote to appoint one of the two deputy mayors as acting mayor.