Moldova’s pro-Russian opposition and allied groups are seeking to capitalise on uncertainty following Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu’s resignation, pointing to possible divisions within President Maia Sandu’s pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) ahead of the appointment of a new government.

The PAS controls 55 of the 101 seats in Moldova’s parliament, meaning that even a small number of dissenting lawmakers could complicate the approval of a new government.

Sandu appointed Deputy Prime Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu as interim prime minister on July 7 following Munteanu’s resignation. Osmochescu, who is also Minister of Economic Development and Digitalisation, will assume the role from July 8, according to the presidential office.

"The President of the Republic of Moldova signed today the decree appointing Mr Eugeniu Osmochescu, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, as interim Prime Minister, as of July 8, 2026," the presidential office said.

Vasile Costiuc, leader of the Democracy at Home (Democrația Acasă) party, said on July 7 that President Maia Sandu may already have a preferred candidate for prime minister but questioned whether the candidate would secure enough support from PAS lawmakers. "Maia Sandu has a candidate for prime minister. But she doesn't have a majority in parliament," Costiuc said, according to Newsmaker.md.

Costiuc argued that Sandu should move quickly to nominate a candidate, saying that political groups rather than the prime minister determine the direction of the country. He warned that failure to secure parliamentary backing could lead to early elections.

"If they don't vote for the first candidate, they'll vote for the second. If they don't vote for the second, we'll put in Grosu [Igor Grosu, PAS president] or whoever. But if you don't know and are creating destabilisation, we'll call early elections," Costiuc said.

The Democracy at Home party entered Moldova’s parliament after winning around 6% of the vote and is led by Costiuc, a unionist politician associated with Romanian opposition leader George Simion and his Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR).

The party has sent mixed signals over participation in consultations with the president. Costiuc said he had not been invited and avoided confirming whether the faction would attend, while party deputy Alexandru Vershinin said the previous day that the party would participate.

Munteanu announced his resignation on July 3, saying he could no longer fulfil his mandate "in accordance with my principles and convictions". The former prime minister did not publicly disclose further details behind his decision.