CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — In a surprising announcement on Friday, Alexandru Munteanu, the Prime Minister of Moldova, declared that he is stepping down from his position. This decision triggers an automatic resignation of the government, as per the country’s political protocols.
Munteanu's resignation comes as a surprise less than a year after he took office, leading the nation amid its bid for European Union (EU) candidacy. His government is viewed as pro-Western, having emerged after a tense election that many perceived as a significant choice between aligning with the East or the West.
In a statement shared on social media, Munteanu expressed that his decision stemmed from his understanding that he could no longer fulfill his role in accordance with his principles and beliefs. "Today I end my term as prime minister," he stated. "The moment I understand that I can no longer exercise my mandate in accordance with my principles and beliefs, I choose to walk away." He remarked on accepting the role with a sense of responsibility and conviction to bring about positive changes.
According to Moldova's political protocol, a prime minister's resignation is immediately effective; however, the government continues to function in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is formed. Following Munteanu’s resignation, President Maia Sandu released a statement thanking him for his leadership during a challenging period for the nation. Sandu expressed that she hoped for "more involvement in complicated decisions" and "more openness to listening to people" from the future leadership.
"Next week, I will listen to the parliamentary groups to appoint a new prime minister. We must have a united, strong team in the Government that will fulfill our country’s objective," Sandu noted. She emphasized the importance of guiding Moldova towards EU membership and mentioned the necessity of promptly forming a new government.
Reflecting on her experiences, Sandu acknowledged the challenges of identifying suitable candidates for the prime minister's position, stating, "From my experience, at least in recent years, it is never easy to identify candidates for the position of prime minister." She indicated uncertainty regarding the timeline for appointing a new prime minister but affirmed the urgency in establishing a functioning government.
Moldova, a landlocked country bordered by Ukraine to the east and the EU and NATO member Romania to the west, was part of the Soviet Union until its declaration of independence in 1991. Over recent years, Moldova has progressively aligned itself towards the West, transforming into a focal point of geopolitical tension between Russia and Europe.
