Centrist Nicosor Dan, who won the presidential election in Romania, was sworn in as president of the country today at a joint session of the two chambers of parliament, Agerpres reported, BTA reported.
"The Romanian state needs fundamental change", he said after taking the oath. Dan called on Romanians to continue to exert "positive pressure" on state institutions to reform. He also assured that he would be "open" to the voice of society as president.
"Thank you for the impressive debate we have had in recent weeks, regardless of the cause you supported. Romanians from Romania, Romanians from the diaspora, Romanians from the Republic of Moldova - many people who have never spoken out about politics have now spoken out, showing that they are interested in the direction Romania is going," he pointed out.
"Romanian society has shown itself to itself that it is alive and strong. The Romanian state needs a fundamental change, of course within the limits of the rule of law. I invite you to continue participating with all the social strength that you have shown, to exert positive pressure on the institutions of the Romanian state so that they reform. And I assure you that I will be open to the voice of society, a president and a partner with society," the new head of state also emphasized.
Nicusor Dan, 55, the former mayor of Bucharest, won the second round of the presidential election on May 18 as an independent candidate against the nationalist Gheorghe Simion with 53.60 percent.
He is the fifth president of Romania since the fall of the communist regime in 1989.