Moldova’s parliament has ratified the country’s new parliament, led by pro-EU Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu. The formation of the new cabinet comes a month after the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won the parliamentary elections on 28th September, securing 50.2% of the popular vote and 55 of the 101 seats in parliament.

The Munteanu Government is a combination of newly appointed members and members of the previous cabinet led by Dorin Recean. Under the governance program “EU, Peace, Development,” Prime Minister Munteanu is expected to focus on several priority areas, including EU integration, the rule of law, institutional reforms, economic growth and digitalization, as well as social protection and healthcare.

The new government’s ability to succeed will largely depend on its capacity to implement reforms effectively and maintain political cohesion. Although the ruling PAS defied the polls and retained its parliamentary majority, sustaining public confidence will require meeting citizens’ expectations, particularly when it comes to cost-of-living issues.

In parallel, Moldova’s proximity to Ukraine, ongoing tensions with Russia and the unresolved issue of the Russian-controlled Transnistria region make geopolitical volatility a constant factor. After notable progress in recent years, it also remains to be seen how Moldova can further its EU integration objectives, given the ongoing uncertainty around the European bloc’s handling of the Moldovan (and Ukrainian) membership bids. Economic and security shocks could also challenge reforms, while also testing the resilience of the new government.