Moldovan President Maia Sandu has declared that she would vote in favor of uniting Moldova with Romania if a referendum were to be held, citing the need to protect Moldova’s fragile democracy from Russian pressure.
Support for Unification Amid Challenges
Speaking in an interview on a British podcast, Sandu emphasized the increasing difficulties faced by small countries like Moldova in maintaining sovereignty and democratic governance in the current geopolitical climate. Moldova, a former Soviet republic with a population of approximately 2.4 million, has a majority of Romanian speakers alongside a significant Russian-speaking minority.
Political Context and Public Opinion
Sandu’s pro-European Union party secured a renewed mandate in September, and she has frequently criticized Russian interference in Moldovan affairs. Although about 1.5 million Moldovans hold Romanian citizenship, recent surveys indicate that only about one-third of the population supports reunification with Romania. Sandu acknowledged that most Moldovans do not share her position and described EU integration as a more practical objective.
Future Prospects for Moldova
The Moldovan government aims to join the European Union by 2030, a goal that will require significant reforms despite opposition from Russia. Moldova’s political landscape has shifted in recent years, with pro-Russian Socialists holding power as recently as 2020. Geographically, Moldova borders Ukraine and was part of Romania during the interwar period before being annexed by the Soviet Union in World War Two. It declared independence in 1991 following the Soviet Union’s collapse.
