A Romanian doctor has obtained first place in the MIR 2026 exam, sparking controversy and discussions about meritocracy in Spain.

Elena Bianca Ciobanu Selaru, a 41-year-old Romanian doctor, achieved first place in the MIR 2026 exam, the national test in Spain for access to residency, with an impressive score of 188 out of 200. This performance has generated discussions in the academic and public environment, considering that approximately 35,500 candidates competed for only 12,000 places.

Ciobanu started her medical studies at 34 and prepared intensively for the exam, emphasizing that her success is due to hard work and strategy, not just the accumulation of knowledge. However, the provisional result has raised suspicions regarding possible fraud, accusations that she rejects, considering them "nonsense." The case has become a topic of debate in Spain, touching on themes such as meritocracy and prejudices related to age and origin. Ciobanu, who moved to Spain in 2000, graduated from Rovira i Virgili University and took the MIR exam after completing her studies.