Moldovan President Maia Sandu Expresses Personal Support for Unification Referendum with Romania

On January 12, 2026, Maia Sandu, the President of the Republic of Moldova, publicly shared her personal stance regarding the potential unification of her country with Romania. This disclosure occurred during an appearance on the prominent British political podcast, “The Rest Is Politics,” hosted by Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell. President Sandu was unequivocal, stating that should a referendum on this matter take place, she would personally cast her vote in favor of joining Romania.

President Sandu justified her personal conviction by pointing to the escalating geopolitical threats facing the region. She emphasized the increasing difficulty for smaller nations, such as Moldova, to safeguard their democratic structures and sovereignty against external pressures, specifically citing the aggressive actions emanating from the Russian Federation. Furthermore, she recalled that the concept of reunification was a significant topic of discussion during the national revival movements of the late 1980s, given that Moldova was historically part of Romania between 1918 and 1940. However, because a referendum was never held at that time, the true level of popular support for unification remained an open question.

Crucially, President Sandu drew a clear line between her private preferences and the established official state policy. She acknowledged that current public opinion data suggests a majority of Moldovan citizens currently oppose a unionist path. For instance, an IMAS poll conducted in June 2025 indicated that while 28% favored unification, the larger segment did not. Consequently, the government’s formal strategy remains firmly focused on European integration. Sandu characterized EU accession as a more attainable objective for securing the nation's safety and one that commands broad public backing.

Amidst this backdrop of geopolitical tension, Moldova continues its determined trajectory toward European Union membership. The country received the decision to commence accession negotiations on December 14, 2023. Demonstrating tangible progress along this path, Moldova officially joined the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” zone starting January 1, 2026. Reflecting this national commitment to the European vector, the public broadcaster Moldova1 announced on January 12, 2026, the launch of a new program titled “Me and the European Union,” designed to clarify the steps of European integration and actively counter disinformation campaigns.

Historically, the idea of unionism has faced considerable resistance from proponents of Moldovan independence, often termed Moldovenists. Analysts often observe that the relationship dynamic between Moldova and Romania is unfolding differently than the post-war unification of West and East Germany, despite the shared language and cultural affinity. Sandu maintains that the language spoken is Romanian, not a distinct Moldovan language. Therefore, the President’s personal leaning toward unification exists alongside a pragmatic state strategy centered on bolstering sovereignty through institutional alignment with the European Union.