Alexandru Munteanu takes his oath as Moldova's new Prime Minister, in Chisinau, Moldova, 1 November 2025; Credit: Reuters/Vladislav Culiomza

(Reuters) - On Friday 3 July 2026, Moldova's Prime Minister, Alexandru Munteanu, said he was stepping down from his post, in a surprise announcement that also triggered the resignation of the government.

Munteanu, who has served as prime minister since November 2025, did not say why he had made his decision.

"Today, my term as Prime Minister comes to an end," he said in a post on X.

"The moment I realised that I could no longer carry out my mandate in accordance with my principles and convictions, I chose to step down."

Moldova is a candidate for European Union membership. The small former Soviet republic is nestled between Ukraine and EU and NATO member Romania.