Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu resigned on Friday after just eight months in office, prompting President Maia Sandu to call for a new government to accelerate European Union membership talks.
I have taken note of @AlexMunteanuMD’s resignation and thank him for his service and for initiating difficult but needed reforms.
On Monday, I begin consultations with parliamentary factions on designating a new PM. Moldova’s path remains unchanged: reforms and EU accession.
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) July 3, 2026
The 62-year-old former economist announced his resignation on Facebook, stating that he could no longer serve according to his principles and convictions.
Munteanu will continue to lead the government in an interim capacity while President Sandu consults with political parties to select a successor.
President Sandu quickly dismissed speculation that the administration had restricted Munteanu’s authority or blocked him from fighting abuses, clarifying that he had a completely free hand to run the government.

However, Sandu admitted that she expected greater involvement from Munteanu during tough decisions, alongside a stronger public presence to explain necessary reforms to citizens.
Sandu originally appointed Munteanu in October last year following a national election victory by her pro-EU Action and Solidarity party (PAS).
“We need a united and strong government team, capable of moving forward our country’s aim – joining the European Union.”
— Maia Sandu, Moldovan President
The president originally tasked Munteanu, a former colleague from the World Bank, with reviving the economy of one of Europe’s poorest nations as it manages the fallout from the neighbouring war in Ukraine.
Following the resignation, Sandu emphasised that the next administration must rethink critical decisions regarding fiscal policy and public sector pay laws.
Political analyst Ion Tabarta noted that a deepening fiscal crisis exposed underlying political friction, concluding that Munteanu never truly integrated into the president’s core team.
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