EditMoldova’s prime minister resigns as salary scandal shakes pro-EU government
Alexandru Munteanu says he can no longer serve in line with his principles as President Maia Sandu begins consultations on a new cabinet
Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu resigned on Friday, opening a new period of political uncertainty for the country’s pro-European government as it faces growing public criticism over governance and a controversy surrounding high salaries at state-owned enterprises.
Announcing his decision in a post on X, Munteanu said he could no longer continue in office without compromising his personal convictions.
“Today, my term as Prime Minister comes to an end. 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,” he wrote.
Today, my term as Prime Minister comes to an end.
I accepted the responsibility of serving as Prime Minister with a deep sense of duty and the firm conviction that I could help bring about positive change.
The moment I realized that I could no longer carry out my mandate in… pic.twitter.com/Oi2GUnHj2n
— Alexandru Munteanu (@AlexMunteanuMD) July 3, 2026
The resignation comes amid public outcry in Moldova following media reports about unusually high salaries at MoldATSA, the state-owned air navigation agency, and other public companies.
Cousin-gate rocks Maia Sandu as wave of resignations hits Moldova
President Maia Sandu confirmed that Munteanu will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a new prime minister is appointed. She said she would begin consultations with parliamentary factions before nominating a successor.
Sandu’s Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) holds a majority in Moldova’s 101-seat parliament, meaning the ruling party is expected to retain control of the government.
Political analyst Vitaliy Andriyevskiy described the situation as “an acute governance crisis in Moldova”.
Sandu rejects speculation
Responding to speculation surrounding the resignation, Sandu denied reports that Munteanu had been prevented from addressing alleged abuses within the administration.
“Speculation that he wanted to tackle abuses but was prevented from doing so is false. He had complete freedom to run the government as he saw fit. He decided to step down of his own accord,” she told reporters.
The president thanked Munteanu and his cabinet for initiating what she described as “difficult but needed reforms” and reaffirmed that Moldova’s strategic direction would remain unchanged. “Moldova’s path remains unchanged: reforms and EU accession,” Sandu said.
Munteanu, 62, became prime minister after PAS secured a decisive victory in the September 2025 parliamentary elections, defeating a Russia-leaning rival and receiving a fresh mandate to continue Moldova’s drive towards European Union membership.
Before entering Moldovan politics, he spent around two decades working abroad, including for the World Bank.
In his resignation message, Munteanu thanked members of the government and the public administration for their cooperation and said he would continue serving the country regardless of the position he holds in the future.
Budget policy disagreements
Following the resignation announcement, Education Minister Dan Perciun confirmed that he had recently held difficult discussions with Munteanu over the government’s draft budget and fiscal policy.
In a video message published on Facebook, Perciun said the discussions concerned provisions that, in his view, had not been sufficiently debated within the government and had generated strong public dissatisfaction. “It is true that I had a discussion with the Prime Minister on the Budgetary-Fiscal Policy and on the way certain issues were not fully discussed within the Government, which generated considerable dissatisfaction in society,” Perciun said.
He added that expressing different opinions within PAS was normal and had also characterised his working relations with previous prime ministers Natalia Gavriliță and Dorin Recean, as well as with President Sandu.
“I have always believed that when there is a different opinion, it should be expressed. Within PAS we have open discussions and debates, even if that sometimes means challenging another person’s position. I believe such discussions are necessary,” Perciun said.
Government enters caretaker mode
Under Moldova’s constitutional rules, the resignation of the prime minister automatically terminates the mandate of the entire government.
The president must appoint an acting prime minister from among the current ministers to lead the cabinet until a new government is formed. Until parliament approves a new cabinet, the outgoing government will continue performing only routine administrative functions.
Munteanu’s government had taken office after the 2025 elections with an ambitious programme centred on accelerating Moldova’s European integration. Its priorities included raising the monthly minimum wage to 10,000 Moldovan lei, equivalent to around €500, implementing a €1.9 billion economic growth plan and completing negotiations on Moldova’s accession to the European Union by 2028.
The government now leaves office before completing that agenda.
Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and EU member Romania, has spent decades alternating between governments favouring closer integration with Europe and those advocating stronger ties with Moscow. Under Sandu and PAS, EU accession has become the country’s central strategic objective.
Sources: EUalive’s partner Nordnews, Reuters
Caption: Prime Minister of Moldova Alexandru Munteanu speaks during the opening session of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk, Poland, 25 June 2026. The Ukraine Recovery Conference, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, takes place on 25 and 26 June 2026. EPA/MARCIN GADOMSKI
Updated: July 3, 2026 - 17:48
