Sandu Says She Would Back Union With Romania, Drawing Rebukes From Opposition and Transnistria

Overview

• President Maia Sandu told the British podcast The Rest Is Politics that she would vote for Moldova to join Romania if a referendum were held, citing a difficult security environment and the strains of sustaining sovereignty.
• Opposition Communist MP Diana Karaman called the stance a voluntary capitulation and alleged it violates the constitution and the presidential oath.
• Transnistrian lawmaker Andrey Safonov labeled the remark a provocation and warned it could risk a new conflict on the Dniester, while also alleging EU backing for Sandu’s rise and linking her position to port integration efforts.
• The EBRD-led sale of Giurgiulesti port’s operator Danube Logistics includes a Romanian ports authority bid that received preliminary security clearance in July, and Moldova’s economy minister has said the talks are a private commercial matter.
• Former president Igor Dodon told TASS that Sandu and Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu have voiced support for merger with Romania and accused them of pressuring Western backers for funds, as December IMAS polling shows most Moldovans oppose unification.