Moldova’s president said she would vote for reunification with Romania. Russia-friendly politicians jumped on the ensuing controversy. Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated she would vote for unification with Romania in a hypothetical referendum, citing challenges for small democracies and resistance to Russia. While this sparked backlash from opposition parties, it is noted that Sandu has expressed similar views previously, with criticism often coming from pro-Russian actors. Despite the controversy, Moldova’s primary objective remains joining the European Union, a goal supported by a slim majority in a recent referendum.

• President Maia Sandu expressed she would vote for unification with Romania in a hypothetical referendum.
• Sandu cited the difficulty for small countries like Moldova to survive as democracies and resist Russia.
• Opposition parties, particularly the Party of Socialists, demanded Sandu’s resignation and called for treason charges.
• Moldovan journalist Paula Erizanu noted that Sandu has expressed similar views since 2016-2018, and criticism often originates from pro-Russian actors.
• Moldova’s primary objective remains joining the European Union, with a referendum in 2024 showing slim majority support for EU candidacy.
• The idea of unification with Romania has steady support from about one-third of Moldovan citizens.
• Romanian politicians, including the president, welcomed Sandu’s statement, though broader political elite reaction is unclear.
• Popular support for reunification in Romania has decreased since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.