Overview
- In a British podcast interview, President Maia Sandu said she would vote for unification with Romania if a referendum were held, framing the choice as a way to counter external threats including Russia.
- Sandu did not indicate any referendum is planned and acknowledged there is no majority for union, noting that EU accession appears more realistic under current public opinion.
- Opposition leader Igor Dodon accused Sandu of pursuing personal political goals by favoring unification, a claim he posted after her remarks.
- Former Gagauzia governor Irina Vlah urged a new foreign-policy concept centered on internationally recognized neutrality and called for clearer identification of strategic partners.
- Political analysts criticized governance and economic management, citing a reported $1.2 billion 2026 budget deficit and stalled teacher pay indexation, while security tensions persist with a defense strategy deepening NATO cooperation and an arms-smuggling case under investigation.