Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mihai-Răzvan Ungureanu PhD
Ungureanu in 2013
Prime Minister of Romania
In office 9 February 2012 – 7 May 2012
President	Traian Băsescu
Deputy	Béla Markó
Preceded by	Cătălin Predoiu (Acting) Emil Boc
Succeeded by	Victor Ponta
Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service
In office 5 December 2007 – 9 February 2012
Preceded by	Silviu Predoiu (Acting)
Succeeded by	Teodor Meleșcanu
In office 30 June 2015 – 26 September 2016
Preceded by	Silviu Predoiu (Acting)
Succeeded by	Silviu Predoiu (Acting)
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 28 December 2004 – 12 March 2007
Prime Minister	Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu
Preceded by	Mircea Geoană
Succeeded by	Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu (Acting)
Member of the Senate of Romania
In office 19 December 2012 – 1 July 2015
President of the Civic Force
In office 7 September 2012 – 16 July 2014
Preceded by	Adrian Iurașcu
Succeeded by	Vasile Blaga (party merged with the Democratic Liberal Party)
Personal details
Born	(1968-09-22) 22 September 1968 (age 56) Iași, Romania
Political party	None
Other political affiliations	National Liberal Party (2004–2007) Civic Force (2012–2014) Democratic Liberal Party (2014) National Liberal Party (2014–2015)
Children	Ștefan Luca Ungureanu
Alma mater	Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași St Cross College, Oxford
Occupation	Professor, diplomat, politician
Profession	Historian

Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu (born 22 September 1968) is a Romanian historian and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Romania in 2012. Before that, he served as the foreign minister of Romania from 2004 to 2007. Later in 2007, he became the Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service.

After the government led by Emil Boc resigned, Ungureanu was chosen to be prime minister. He served until April 2012, when his government was removed by a vote in Parliament. In 2015, he was again confirmed as Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service. However, he resigned in September 2016 due to health reasons.

Early Life and Education

Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu studied Maths and Physics at the Costache Negruzzi National College in Iași. He finished high school in 1987 as the top student in his class.

He then studied History and Philosophy at the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, graduating in 1992. From 1985 to 1989, he was a student representative in the university's governing body. In 1993, Ungureanu earned a master's degree from St Cross College, Oxford at the University of Oxford. In 2004, he received a PhD degree from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University. His PhD work focused on how people changed and fit into Romanian society a long time ago.

Professional Career

Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu and Lech Kaczyński in March 2007

Ungureanu started his career as a professor at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University. In 1998, he joined the diplomatic service, which means he started working for the country's foreign relations. He worked as a State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1998 to 2000. From 2000 to 2004, he was a representative for a group working on stability in Southeast Europe.

He was a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL). This party was part of an alliance called the Justice and Truth Alliance. When Traian Băsescu, who was supported by this alliance, won the presidential election, Ungureanu became the foreign minister.

On February 2, 2007, the Prime Minister at the time, Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu, asked Ungureanu to resign. This was because Ungureanu had not told the government about two Romanian workers being held in Iraq. Ungureanu confirmed his resignation on February 4. He continued to serve as foreign minister until a new one was appointed. On March 12, President Traian Băsescu officially removed him from his position.

Leading the Foreign Intelligence Service

On November 27, 2007, President Băsescu suggested Ungureanu to lead the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE). This important role had been empty for a while. On December 5, a special meeting of Parliament confirmed Ungureanu in his new job. Most of the members present voted for him.

Becoming Prime Minister

On February 6, 2012, President Traian Băsescu asked Ungureanu to form a new government. The Romanian Parliament approved his government on February 9, 2012. Ungureanu promised to continue making changes and to help Romania's economy and politics stay strong.

As prime minister, Ungureanu was seen as a possible future candidate for president. However, after about two and a half months, his government faced a vote of no-confidence from the opposition. This meant Parliament no longer supported his government. On May 7, 2012, Victor Ponta replaced him as prime minister.

After Being Prime Minister

Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu at a protest in July 2012

After his time as prime minister, Ungureanu remained very active in politics. In July 2012, he started a group called the Center-Right Civic Initiative (ICCD). He wanted to create a new political alliance. This alliance was formed in August 2012 and included several parties. On August 31, Ungureanu joined the Civic Force party.

Leading the Civic Force Party

Ungureanu was chosen as the leader of the Civic Force party in September 2012. This party became the main way for his initiative group to take part in elections. After becoming leader, Ungureanu traveled around Europe to help his party join the European People's Party (EPP). He met with important political figures from Italy and other countries.

Ungureanu worked to organize new branches of the Civic Force party across Romania. He discussed his party joining the EPP with many European leaders. The Civic Force party's application to join the EPP was accepted, and they began the process.

In the 2012 elections, Ungureanu won a seat in the Senate, which is part of Romania's Parliament.

Personal Life

Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu is married and has one son. He can speak three foreign languages very well: English, French, and German. He can also read Hungarian.

See also

• Ungureanu cabinet