Alexandru Nazare: A Career in Romanian Public Service and Finance
Alexandru Nazare is a prominent Romanian political figure whose career spans several key administrative roles, from the European Parliament to the leadership of Romania's most critical ministries. With a professional trajectory deeply intertwined with Romania's integration into the European Union and its subsequent economic development, Nazare has consistently focused on infrastructure, fiscal policy, and European cooperation.
Key Facts
- Youngest Romanian MEP: Became the youngest Member of the European Parliament (MEP) upon election in 2008.
- Infrastructure Leadership: Served as Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, securing hundreds of millions of euros in EU funding.
- Fiscal Management: Served as Minister of Finance, focusing on economic recovery and the digitization of tax administration.
- EU Integration: Began his career as a ministerial advisor during the period preceding Romania's EU accession.
Early Career and European Integration
Alexandru Nazare entered the political arena as a ministerial advisor at the Ministry of European Integration, working under Anca Boagiu. This role was pivotal as it occurred during the critical phase leading up to Romania's official accession to the European Union.
In 2007, he transitioned to the European level, serving as an adviser to the Group of the European People's Party in the European Parliament. By 2008, he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) on the PDL lists, earning the distinction of being the youngest Romanian MEP in the institution. During his tenure, he was active in the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Budgets, where he authored motions regarding energy strategy, the rights of Romani people, and the Republic of Moldova.
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Rise Through Government Administration
Following his term in the European Parliament in 2009, Nazare returned to national service. He first served as Secretary of State at the Department for European Affairs, where he acted as the primary liaison between Romania and European institutions.
His administrative experience expanded rapidly through several key appointments:
- Ministry of Public Finance (April 2010): As Secretary of State, he managed the tax department and the Phare Payments and Contracting Office, as well as the Certification and Payment Authority.
- Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (Nov 2010 – Feb 2012): As Secretary of State, he coordinated civil aviation and served as the chief negotiator for joint evaluation missions with international financial institutions.
Ministerial Leadership in Transport
In February 2012, following the resignation of the second Boc Government, Alexandru Nazare was appointed Minister of Transport in the government of Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu. His tenure was marked by a strong push for infrastructure modernization using European resources.
Nazare successfully obtained European Commission approval for 800 million euros to rehabilitate the railway system and initiated a tender for motorway sections valued at 850 million euros. He also launched feasibility studies for the Comarnic-Brașov highway (via public-private partnership) and the Sibiu-Pitești highway (via EU funds), though these auctions were later canceled by the succeeding government in late 2012.
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Parliamentary and Local Political Activity
In 2012, Nazare was elected as a deputy on the Democratic Liberal Party list. Over a four-year term, he contributed to committees focusing on European Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, and Economic Policy, Reform and Privatization. In May 2016, he ran for the Sector 1 City Hall under the National Liberal Party, proposing strategic urban development and traffic reduction plans.
Minister of Finance and Economic Recovery
After being re-elected to the Romanian Parliament as a senator in December 2020, Nazare was appointed Minister of Finance in the Cîțu Cabinet. He entered the role during the economic volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing a program based on liberal economic policies and prudent fiscal-budgetary management to ensure sustainable fiscal adjustment.
One of his primary focuses was the modernization of the tax system. He ordered internal controls at the headquarters of ANAF (the National Agency for Fiscal Administration) in Bucharest after taxpayers were erroneously summoned for amounts already paid. His broader agenda emphasized the digitization of tax administration, economic reform, and recovery.
While he left the position on July 8, 2021, Nazare returned to the role of Minister of Finance on June 23, 2025, within the Bolojan cabinet.
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Career Summary Table
| Period/Year | Role | Key Focus/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2007 | Ministerial Advisor | EU Accession (Ministry of European Integration) |
| 2008–2009 | Member of European Parliament | Youngest Romanian MEP; Budgets & Foreign Affairs |
| 2010–2012 | Secretary of State | Public Finance and Transport/Infrastructure |
| 2012 | Minister of Transport | €1.65 billion in railway and motorway funding |
| 2012–2016 | Deputy (Parliament) | Economic Policy and European Affairs committees |
| 2020–2021 | Minister of Finance | COVID-19 recovery and ANAF digitization |
| 2025 | Minister of Finance | Reappointed in the Bolojan cabinet |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Alexandru Nazare's role in the European Parliament?
Alexandru Nazare served as the youngest Romanian MEP starting in 2008. He worked within the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, submitting resolutions on energy strategy, the Republic of Moldova, and Romani people's rights.
Which infrastructure projects did Nazare initiate as Minister of Transport?
He secured 800 million euros for railway rehabilitation and 850 million euros for motorway sections. He also tendered feasibility studies for the Sibiu-Pitești and Comarnic-Brașov highways.
What were his primary goals as Minister of Finance?
Nazare focused on economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing liberal economic policies, ensuring sustainable fiscal adjustment, and digitizing the Romanian tax administration (ANAF).
When was Alexandru Nazare reappointed as Minister of Finance?
He was reappointed as Minister of Finance in the Bolojan cabinet on June 23, 2025.
What is ANAF and why did Nazare order controls there?
ANAF is the National Agency for Fiscal Administration. Nazare ordered internal controls at the Bucharest headquarters after the agency sent summonses to taxpayers for amounts that had already been paid.