Nicolae Ștefănuță

Ștefănuță in 2024

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Nicolae (Nicu) Ștefănuță (1982–) is a Romanian politician and the kind of progressive that makes Romanian conservatives visibly uncomfortable. In 2024, he made history by becoming the first independent Romanian candidate elected to the European Parliament (EP), and later rose to the position of Vice-President of the European Parliament — a job that involves a lot of serious meetings and, presumably, an enormous coffee budget.^[1]

Born in Sibiu and educated in the United States, Ștefănuță is fluent in EU-speak and progressive slogans, which he uses to push forward an agenda focused on green policies, public health, human rights, and budget transparency. He defines himself as a center-left politician, both socially and economically, advocating for redistributive policies, stronger public services, and increased investment in healthcare and education. His stance includes vocal support for LGBTQI rights, gender equality, and sustainable development — all of which tend to confuse a good part of the Romanian electorate who are still nostalgic for patriarchal orthodoxy and leaded gasoline.^[2]

During his previous term as an MEP, Ștefănuță served on the Committee on Budgets and was one of the key voices advocating for increased EU funding in areas typically ignored in traditional budget fights — namely, public health and mental health services.^[3] He was the rapporteur for the EU budget on health and consistently pushed for ring-fenced investments in mental health. He also supported green budgeting principles and climate mainstreaming, a wonky term for making sure EU cash doesn’t accidentally help destroy the planet by contributing to climate change.

After a stint with USR PLUS and Renew Europe, he broke ranks and ran solo in 2024, aligning with the European Greens. That decision didn’t stop him from winning a seat, thanks in part to his clean image, social media fluency, and the growing niche of young Romanian voters who don’t think Brussels is just a type of cabbage.^[4][5]

He's known in Brussels, the EU headquarters, for advocating stronger climate legislation and healthcare funding, while back at home, he’s that rare breed of Romanian politician who says “feminism” without blinking. Whether he’ll shift Romanian politics toward a greener, more socially inclusive direction or just end up as another well-dressed technocrat shouting into the EU void remains to be seen — but he’s certainly making the effort.

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