Mircea Geoană facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mircea Geoană
Geoană in 2024
Deputy Secretary General of NATO
In office 17 July 2019 – 3 September 2024
Secretary General	Jens Stoltenberg
Preceded by	Rose Gottemoeller
Succeeded by	Radmila Šekerinska
Senator of Romania
In office 13 December 2004 – 19 December 2016
President of the Senate of Romania
In office 19 December 2008 – 23 November 2011
Preceded by	Ilie Sârbu
Succeeded by	Petru Filip (acting)
President of the Social Democratic Party
In office 2005–2010
Preceded by	Adrian Năstase
Succeeded by	Victor Ponta
Co-president of the Alliance PSD+PC
In office 2008–2010 Serving with Dan Voiculescu
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 28 December 2000 – 28 December 2004
Prime Minister	Adrian Năstase Eugen Bejinariu
Preceded by	Petre Roman
Succeeded by	Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu
Ambassador of Romania to the United States
In office 6 February 1996 – 27 December 2000
Preceded by	Mihai Botez
Succeeded by	Sorin Dumitru Ducaru
Personal details
Born	Dan Mircea Geoană (1958-07-14) 14 July 1958 (age 67) Bucharest, Socialist Republic of Romania
Political party	Independent (2011–2012; 2014–2015, 2018–present)
Other political affiliations	Romanian Social Party (2015–2018) Social Democratic Party (2001–2011; 2012–2014) Party of Social Democracy in Romania (2000–2001)
Spouse	Mihaela Geoană
Children	2
Alma mater	Polytechnic University of Bucharest École nationale d'administration University of Bucharest Harvard University Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies
Signature

Dan Mircea Geoană (born 14 July 1958) is a Romanian politician and diplomat. He served as the Deputy Secretary General of NATO from 2019 to 2024. This means he was the second-highest leader in NATO, helping to guide this important international organization.

Before his role at NATO, he was the president of the Senate of Romania from 2008 to 2011. He also led the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in Romania from 2005 to 2010. In 2009, he ran for President of Romania but did not win.

Mircea Geoană left his NATO role on 3 September 2024. He decided to run for President of Romania again in the election later that year.

Early Life and Education

Mircea Geoană was born in Bucharest, Romania, on 14 July 1958. His father, Ioan Geoană, was a general in the Romanian Army. His mother, Elena Iuliana Geoană, worked as an engineer. Mircea grew up in Bucharest.

School and University

He went to Saint Sava High School in Bucharest, graduating in 1977. After high school, he studied at the Bucharest Polytechnic Institute. He also studied law at the University of Bucharest. In 1992, he attended the École nationale d'administration in Paris, France. He also took a course on democratic institutions at NATO.

Later, while he was Romania's ambassador to Washington, he attended a special program at the Harvard Business School.

Family and Hobbies

Mircea Geoană is married to Mihaela Geoană, who is an architect. They have two children, a daughter named Ana Maria and a son named Alexandru. Mihaela Geoană has been the President of the "National Red Cross Society of Romania" since 2007. She also leads other foundations focused on education, health, and human rights.

Mircea Geoană has a surprising hobby: he used to be a football referee for local matches in Romania. He said he loved the passion of the games. He is also a fan of the football team Rapid București.

Work in Public Service

Mircea Geoană is the President of the Aspen Institute Romania. This group helps leaders from politics, business, and education talk to each other. He also advises the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University. This institute works to promote trusted technology that supports freedom. He is also an Honorary President of the George Marshall Romania Association.

Diplomatic Roles

Mircea Geoană meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on May 10, 2022

Mircea Geoană speaks French. In 1990, he started working for the Foreign Ministry, dealing with relations with France. He quickly moved up, becoming head of European Affairs. In this role, he worked with important groups like NATO and the European Union. From 1993 to 1995, he was also the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry.

In February 1996, at 37 years old, he became Romania's ambassador to the United States. An ambassador is a country's official representative in another country. He served in Washington, D.C., until 2000.

In 2019, Mircea Geoană was chosen as the Deputy Secretary General of NATO. This was a big step, as it was the first time someone from Eastern Europe held this high position. In this role, he led NATO's Innovation Committee. Under his leadership, NATO approved a plan for digital transformation. He has spoken about how important it is for countries to invest in new defense technologies and work together.

Political Career

Foreign Minister

From 2000 to 2004, Mircea Geoană served as Romania's foreign minister. He was part of the government led by Adrian Năstase. As foreign minister, he helped Romania join NATO in 2004 and prepared for joining the European Union in 2007.

During his time, Romania's relationship with the United States grew stronger. Romania also supported the United States in its efforts against terrorism. A big achievement was when the European Union removed the visa requirement for Romanian citizens traveling to the Schengen Area starting in 2002. This made travel much easier for Romanians.

He also worked to improve relations with Russia. In 2003, Romania and Russia signed an important agreement. From July 2004, Geoană was the president of the United Nations Security Council for one month.

Running for Mayor and Senator

In 2004, while still foreign minister, he ran for Mayor of Bucharest. However, he lost the election to Traian Băsescu. Later that year, he was elected as a senator for Dolj County. As a senator, he led the foreign policy committee.

Leading the Social Democratic Party

Mircea Geoană was seen as a young leader who wanted to make changes. On 25 April 2005, he was elected president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). This was a surprise, as many expected the former president, Ion Iliescu, to win easily. Geoană was re-elected as party president in 2006.

President of the Senate

In December 2008, Mircea Geoană became the President of the Senate of Romania. This is a very important role in the Romanian Parliament. He held this position until November 2011.

In 2011, there were disagreements within the PSD party. The party leadership asked him to step down as Senate President, but he refused. Because of this, he was removed from the party on 22 November 2011. The next day, the senators voted to remove him from his role as President of the Senate. He then became an independent senator. However, he rejoined the PSD in late 2012.

Later Political Changes

After losing the party leadership in 2010 to Victor Ponta, Geoană became critical of the new leaders. He was suspended from the party for six months in December 2010. In 2011, he again spoke out against party leaders and announced he wanted to run for president. He also visited the United States without telling party leaders, which caused more problems.

These actions led to his second removal from the PSD in November 2014. He then lost his role as a special representative for the prime minister. In March 2015, he started a new party called the Romanian Social Party. This party did not gain much support and later dissolved.

Presidential Campaigns

2009 Presidential Election

In the 2009 presidential election, Mircea Geoană was a candidate. He had a televised debate with his opponent, Traian Băsescu. Geoană talked about his plans to develop Romania, focusing on agriculture and jobs. He also mentioned his alliance with other political groups.

The debate was intense, with both candidates making strong statements. Băsescu accused Geoană of being linked to certain media owners. Both candidates even swore on a Bible during the debate.

A key point during the campaign was a private visit Geoană made to Moscow in April 2009, where he met with the Russian President. His opponents criticized this visit, raising questions about his stance on Russia.

2024 Presidential Election

On 3 September 2024, Mircea Geoană resigned from his role at NATO to run for President of Romania again. He ran as an independent candidate, supported by a group called România Renaște (Romania Renaissance). Before the election, some opinion polls showed him as a leading candidate.

During his 2024 campaign, there were some accusations against Geoană. He was accused of meeting with someone known for influencing elections, which he denied. There were also concerns about potential "troll farms" helping his campaign. Geoană asked for proof of these claims.

Electoral History

Mayor of Bucharest

Presidential Elections

See also

In Spanish: Mircea Geoană para niños