Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu resigns, government falls

Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu resigned, stating he could no longer perform his duties. The decision caused the government to fall, and President Maia Sandu announced that consultations for a new prime minister would begin.

Scraper SystemJuly 03, 2026, 08:26 PM

Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu resigns, government falls

Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu announced his resignation in a surprise statement on Friday. The decision caused the government to fall.

In a post on social media, Munteanu said, "I chose to resign the moment I realized I could not exercise my authority in accordance with my principles and beliefs." He added, "I will continue to serve my country in whatever position I hold."

The 65-year-old prime minister gave no further details about the reasons for his resignation.

Sandu's Response and Transition Process

President Maia Sandu said immediately after Munteanu's resignation that he would remain in office until a new prime minister is appointed. Sandu stated that consultations with parliamentary groups would begin next week and a new candidate would be selected "quickly." Under Moldova's parliamentary procedure, Sandu will appoint a prime minister after speaking with the groups.

Sandu also rejected allegations that Munteanu faced constraints in running the government. "The prime minister was free to run the government as he saw fit," Sandu said, adding that she expected from Munteanu "greater involvement in difficult decisions and a stronger public presence."

MoldATSA Scandal and Pressure

The resignation came as the government faced mounting pressure over corruption in state-owned enterprises. At the state aviation company MoldATSA, it was alleged that the director falsified his CV and that a cousin of President Sandu was directly appointed to a public relations role, receiving compensation up to eight times Moldova's median wage through salary increases.

Following these allegations, a special inquiry committee was set up on Thursday to examine the management of state-owned companies. The committee will scrutinize senior executive recruitment procedures, board structures, and cases where the same person holds positions at multiple public bodies.

Munteanu's Career and Moldova's Path

Munteanu was appointed prime minister following the September 2025 parliamentary elections. In that vote, Sandu's pro-European PAS party defeated its Russia-leaning rival by a landslide, reinvigorating the EU accession push. Before becoming prime minister, he worked abroad for nearly 20 years, including at the World Bank and other organizations.

Moldova, located between Ukraine and Romania, is an EU candidate country with a Romanian-speaking majority and a large Russian-speaking minority. Political power has for decades oscillated between parties advocating closer ties with Europe and those seeking to strengthen relations with Moscow.

Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu resigns, government falls