The prospect of unification between the Republic of Moldova and Romania is becoming increasingly relevant, Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said during a recent visit to Bucharest, according to Infotag, noting a growing shift in public perception and political discourse on the issue.

Speaking to journalists, Munteanu said that citizens on both sides of the Prut River, in both Moldova and Romania, are becoming more aware of how close the two countries are, not only geographically but also in terms of identity and shared interests. “The topic of possible unification with Romania is becoming more and more relevant, and citizens increasingly perceive it as a realistic prospect,” he stated.

The prime minister stressed, however, that any concrete move toward unification would depend entirely on the will of the people, most likely expressed through a referendum. “This is a political decision… everything depends on the will of the voters,” he said, suggesting that such a step would only be taken once a “critical mass” of public support is reached.

His remarks come after President Maia Sandu earlier this year for the first time raised the possibility of unification, describing it as a potential—though still distant—scenario. Sandu said she would personally support unification in a referendum, while emphasising that the current majority of citizens favours European Union accession rather than union with Romania.

Still, recent surveys indicate that support for unification may be increasing, with more Moldovans reportedly willing to vote in favour than against. This trend appears to be encouraging a more open discussion among Moldova’s pro-European leadership.

Munteanu linked the issue to the broader regional context, marked by heightened security risks and geopolitical uncertainty after the war in Ukraine and its spillover effects. He noted that rapid changes in the region are reshaping expectations about the future. “Everything is changing very quickly,” he said, implying that scenarios once considered unlikely may become more plausible.

At the same time, the Moldovan government remains committed to its European integration agenda, which continues to be its primary strategic objective. Officials have often suggested that unification could occur naturally within the framework of EU membership, rather than as a separate political project.

The increasingly visible discussion about unification has triggered criticism from the opposition in Moldova, particularly the pro-Russian Socialist (PSRM) and Communist (PCRM) parties. They accuse the pro-EU leadership of undermining Moldova’s sovereignty and have called for Sandu’s resignation over what they describe as unconstitutional positioning. 

For now, unification remains a conditional and long-term possibility rather than an immediate policy goal. However, the fact that it is being discussed more openly at the highest political level signals a notable shift in Moldova’s strategic debate.