Mircea Geoană facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mircea Geoană
Geoană in 2023
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 Romanian Senate
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 66) Bucharest, Romanian People's Republic
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.

Before joining NATO, he was the President of the Senate of Romania from 2008 to 2011. He also led the Social Democratic Party (PSD) from 2005 to 2010. In 2009, he ran for President of Romania but lost by a small number of votes.

Mircea Geoană also founded and led the Romanian Social Party from 2015 to 2018. He was also the president of Aspen Institute Romania. This is a group that helps leaders talk and work together.

In 2019, he became the Deputy Secretary General of NATO. He worked with Jens Stoltenberg, the main Secretary General. His time at NATO included the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He left his NATO role in September 2024 to run for President of Romania again.

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, was an engineer. Mircea grew up in Bucharest.

Schooling and University

He went to Saint Sava National College in Bucharest and finished in 1977. After high school, he studied at the Politehnica University of Bucharest. He also studied law at the University of Bucharest. In 1992, he attended a special school in Paris called the École nationale d'administration. He also took a course on democratic groups at NATO.

Mircea Geoană earned his PhD in world economy in 2005. He also attended a program at Harvard Business School when he was Romania's ambassador to Washington.

Family Life

Mircea Geoană is married to Mihaela Geoană. She is an architect. They have two children, a daughter named Ana Maria and a son named Alexandru.

Hobbies and Interests

Mircea Geoană used to be a football referee for a few years. He started at a lower level and worked his way up. He said he heard a lot of shouting but also got good exercise. He supports the football team CS Rapid București.

Working in Public Service

Mircea Geoană is the President of the Aspen Institute Romania. This group helps political, intellectual, and business leaders talk to each other. He also advises the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy. This group works to use trusted technology to help freedom.

Diplomatic Work

Mircea Geoană meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in 2022.

Mircea Geoană speaks French. In 1990, he started working for the Foreign Ministry. He handled relations with France. The next year, he was promoted to lead the European Affairs section. This role involved working with NATO, the European Union, and other important groups.

In 2019, he became the Deputy Secretary General of NATO. This was a big step because the position was opened to someone from Eastern Europe. In this role, he led NATO's Innovation Committee. Under his leadership, NATO approved its plan for digital changes.

In 2024, Geoană spoke about the United States' foreign policy. He said that America needs its allies, like Europe. He believes that countries like China and Russia want to challenge the current world order. He said that America will need its allies in this "epic struggle."

Political Career in Romania

Ambassador to the United States

In 1996, at 37 years old, Mircea Geoană became Romania's ambassador to the United States. He was the youngest ambassador at that time. He served in Washington, D.C., until 2000.

Foreign Minister of Romania

From 2000 to 2004, Geoană was Romania's Foreign Minister. He was part of the PSD government led by Adrian Năstase.

As Foreign Minister, he led the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for one year starting in 2001. His goals included helping to solve conflicts in places like the former Yugoslavia and Moldova.

During his time as Foreign Minister, Romania worked hard to join NATO and the European Union. Romania joined NATO in 2004. The European Union also agreed to let Romania join in 2007. This was a major success for Romania.

In 2001, the European Union also removed the need for visas for Romanian citizens traveling in the Schengen Area. This made it much easier for Romanians to travel.

Geoană also worked to improve relations with Russia. A treaty was signed between the two countries in 2003.

In 2004, Geoană was the president of the United Nations Security Council for one month. He was the first Western politician to visit Iraq after the US army handed power to the Iraqi government.

Running for Mayor of Bucharest

In 2004, Mircea Geoană ran for Mayor of Bucharest. He lost to Traian Băsescu. Later that year, he was elected as a senator for Dolj County. He became the head of the Senate's foreign policy committee.

Leading the Social Democratic Party

In 2005, Mircea Geoană was elected president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). This was a surprise because many expected the former president, Ion Iliescu, to win easily. Geoană was seen as a young reformer. He was re-elected as party president in 2006.

President of the Senate

In 2008, Mircea Geoană became the President of the Senate of Romania. He held this position until 2011. In November 2011, he was removed from the PSD party. This meant he lost the support needed to be Senate President. He then became an independent senator. He rejoined the PSD party in late 2012.

Leaving and Rejoining the PSD

After losing the 2009 presidential election, Geoană tried to become the PSD leader again in 2010 but lost to Victor Ponta. He was suspended from the party for six months in 2010 for comments that were seen as harmful to the party.

In 2011, he made more comments that caused problems with the party leaders. He also visited the United States without telling the party. Because of this, the PSD decided to remove him from the party in November 2011. The Senate then voted to remove him as its president.

In 2012, he started an association called România noastră. He later rejoined the PSD party. He was elected as a senator for a third time in 2012.

However, in 2014, he was removed from the PSD party again. This happened after he criticized the party leadership. After leaving the PSD, he founded the Romanian Social Party in 2015. This party later dissolved in 2017.

Presidential Campaigns

2009 Presidential Election

In 2009, Mircea Geoană ran for President of Romania. He faced Traian Băsescu in the second round. They had a televised debate where they discussed their plans for the country. Geoană talked about developing Romania and uniting its people.

During the campaign, there were questions about a private visit Geoană made to Moscow in April 2009. He met with Dmitry Medvedev, who was the President of Russia at the time. This visit caused debate and raised questions about Geoană's views on Russia.

2024 Presidential Election

On 3 September 2024, Geoană resigned from his NATO role to run for President of Romania again. He ran as an independent candidate. His campaign was supported by a group called România Renaște. Before the election, some polls showed him in the lead.

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

Electoral History

Mayor of Bucharest

Presidential Elections

Images for kids

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  Mircea Geoană with the President of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, in 2003.

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  Mircea Geoană at the launch of the România noastră association in March 2012.

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  Mircea Geoană at the National Council of the Social Democratic Party in 2013.

See also

In Spanish: Mircea Geoană para niños