Moldovan Prime Minister Abruptly Resigns, Government Dissolved

Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu unexpectedly announced his resignation on Friday, automatically dissolving the pro-Western government, although the cabinet will remain in a caretaker capacity until a successor is appointed. The resignation comes less than a year after Munteanu took office following a fiercely contested election viewed as a choice between aligning with Europe or maintaining ties with Russia. In a statement posted on social media, Munteanu said he was stepping down because he felt he could no longer fulfil his mandate according to his principles and beliefs. “I accepted the position of prime minister with great responsibility and a strong conviction that I could contribute to changing things for the better,” he wrote. President Maia Sandu thanked Munteanu for his leadership during a complex period but hinted at the need for more active governance. She announced that consultations to form a new government would begin next week, emphasising the urgency of maintaining stability to advance Moldova’s bid to join the European Union.