Moldova's Prime Minister Munteanu steps down

CHISINAU

Moldova's Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said on Friday he was stepping down, ​in a surprise announcement that also triggers the ‌resignation of the government.

Munteanu, who has served as prime minister since November 2025, gave no full explanation for his decision. Today, my term ​as Prime Minister comes to an end, he said ​in a post on X. The moment I realized ⁠that I could no longer carry out my mandate ​in accordance with my principles and convictions, I chose to ​step down.

The move is a challenge for President Maia Sandu and her ruling pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), now in its second ​consecutive term.

According to Moldova's parliamentary procedure, Sandu will hold ​consultations with parliamentary groups and then nominate a candidate for prime minister.

Munteanu, ‌62, ⁠was appointed following a parliamentary election in September 2025 in which PAS resoundingly defeated a Russia-leaning rival and won a fresh mandate to pursue Moldova's European Union drive.

Before that, ​he worked outside ​Moldova for ⁠some 20 years including for the World Bank.

I will continue to serve my country from ​whatever position I may hold, he said. Moldova, nestled between ​Ukraine ⁠and EU member Romania, is a candidate for EU membership. It has a Romanian-speaking majority and a large Russian-speaking minority, and political power ⁠has ​oscillated for decades between parties supporting ​closer ties with Europe and those seeking better relations with Moscow.