Moldova PM Resigns as Ukraine war Erodes Support for Pro-EU government

Moldova Prime Minister Steps Down Due to Decline in Support amid War with Ukraine and Pro-EU Government’s Challenges.

The prime minister of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, has decided to resign from her position due to insufficient support for her administration during a difficult time. The country is facing challenges as a result of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine and Moscow’s efforts to disrupt stability in the region.

Moldova PM Resigns as Ukraine war Erodes Support for Pro-EU government

Dorin Recean, her security adviser, will take over as prime minister later on Friday, according to president Maia Sandu. Sandu said the new government must improve Moldova’s security and keep the country in the ranks of free and democratic nations by increasing the country’s level of security.

Dorin Recean, President Sandu’s security adviser, will become prime minister later on Friday. “Our economy and security need new life and the new government needs to increase the country’s level of security and keep Moldova within the ranks of the free and democratic world,” Sandu said.

The conflict in Ukraine has greatly impacted Moldova, causing a rise in inflation to around 30% and severely damaging the economy.

Moldova has experienced an influx of Ukrainian refugees, disruptions to gas and electricity supplies from Russia, and a decrease in foreign trade. The pro-European government, led by Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, has been working to implement reforms required by the European Union for potential accession talks.

However, this has reduced support among the public in the post-Soviet nation where pro-Russian sentiments run deep.

Moldova Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita Resigns Today

The resignation of Prime Minister Gavrilita came shortly after a Russian missile attack on Ukraine, which entered Moldovan airspace, and after the country’s intelligence agency warned of plans by Moscow’s security services to destabilize Moldova.

“Moldova is expected with open arms inside the EU, Moldova has friends,” Gavrilita, announcing her appointment in August 2021, said on Friday. “If the government had the same support at home, we would have progressed faster.”

Last fall, protests occurred in Chisinau led by the pro-Russian Șor party, calling for the resignation of the government and Prime Minister Sandu due to a four-fold increase in gas prices and rising inflation.

Despite these challenges, Moldova has managed to reduce its reliance on Russia’s Gazprom for energy by utilizing a pipeline connecting to Romania.

Prime Minister Gavrilita emphasized the country’s efforts towards energy independence and the construction of new electrical lines connecting to Romania. However, she also expressed that Moldova was facing “hybrid warfare” from Russia, including disinformation, cyberattacks, and influence operations.

The country’s security services reported that they had identified Russian intelligence operations aiming to undermine the state and destabilize public order. Chisinau has accused Russia of using its forces in Moldova’s separatist-controlled Transnistria region to destabilize the country by attacking its infrastructure, including energy links.

The European Union (EU) designated Moldova as a candidate country for EU membership alongside Ukraine in June. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February, the EU has increased support for Moldova through financial and humanitarian aid, and a recent security assistance package.

Prime Minister Gavrilita led a group of top Moldovan officials to Brussels for meetings with the European Commission, who promised €145 million in new funding.