Analysts on Maia Sandu’s first year: consolidation, diplomacy, and EU accession
During the first year of President Maia Sandu's second term, the Republic of Moldova experienced a remarkable stabilization of its governmental structure and a significant shift in its international relations. Political analyst Ion Tăbârță points out that this period has marked a new phase in which the quality of governance and the progress of European integration are now the primary indicators of success. Additionally, Sorin Ioniță, director of Expert Forum Romania, highlights that the electoral victories and proactive foreign diplomacy have transformed the Republic of Moldova from an isolated nation into a successful example for the European Union. These insights were shared during the ZI DE ZI program on Radio Moldova.
“Parliamentary and presidential shield” and European validation
In analyzing the events of 2025, Sorin Ioniță emphasizes the international recognition of the head of state, noting that the efforts toward European integration would have been futile without political confirmation.
"It reached an obvious crescendo with the parliamentary elections in September, which were very significant. The management of politics in the Republic of Moldova, as well as the country's future, depended greatly on these elections. Throughout the year, public authorities worked toward the European path, achieving significant milestones along the way. Without the surprising outcome of the parliamentary elections, all the work at the EU level would have been in vain. International observers have validated this. Regardless of whether these commitments were fulfilled, the president is ultimately responsible," Ioniță stated in an interview with Radio Moldova.
Open-door diplomacy promoted by Sandu
From a foreign policy perspective, the current period is exceptionally positive compared to previous ones. Ioniță highlights that Maia Sandu has managed to elevate the Republic of Moldova's status on the international stage, successfully attracting world leaders to Chișinău.
"The difference from previous isolation is quite striking. Now, Maia Sandu enjoys open doors in Europe, sometimes even more than Romania's President. She has built these relationships over time and brought significant figures to witness the Republic of Moldova," points out the director of Expert Forum Romania.
Paradox of leadership: Moldova as a model for the region
Another aspect of success in 2025 is the coherence between the Presidency and the Government, exhibiting a unified approach to security challenges. The expert describes the leadership in Chișinău as an example of "good practice" and a "success story" for Europe.
"Maia Sandu represents a good practice example. We've seen issues with leadership and parties in Romania in recent years, even in a much easier context than in Moldova, where the challenges are considerable. However, despite these difficulties, significant progress has been made this year. For Europe, Moldova's story is seen as a success, receiving extensive coverage in the European press and discussion in corridors of power like never before," concluded Ioniță.
Institutional synergy and the end of political blockades
During the same program, analyst Ion Tăbârță explained that the Republic of Moldova has entered a rare opportunity for presidential diplomacy. The reconfirmation of Maia Sandu in office has created a unified inter-institutional front that prioritizes administrative efficiency and the pace of reforms required by Brussels.
"Maia Sandu has successfully secured a new mandate for the government, which means that over the next three years, we will witness synergy among all power institutions in the Republic of Moldova. There will be no political issues, only challenges related to the quality of governance. Most importantly, the momentum for European integration will be maintained, unaffected by political factors," Ion Tăbârță stated for Radio Moldova.
Maia Sandu's image capital: A "door opener"
The expert highlights that the Republic of Moldova's foreign policy has become its strongest asset, with the personal image capital of the head of state acting as an accelerator for accession.
"The personal ability of a president to connect with very influential people is crucial. This capability opens many doors for a country. In this instance, Maia Sandu’s excellent image and total openness facilitate numerous agreements and decisions favorable to the Republic of Moldova at the European Union level. Before this, President Sandu created many opportunities, allowing the Cabinet of Ministers to take advantage of them. From this perspective, it is essential to acknowledge her outstanding international performance and recognition," concludes Ion Tăbârță.
On December 24, 2024, Maia Sandu was sworn in for a second term as President of the Republic of Moldova during an official ceremony held at the Palace of the Republic. With this achievement, she became the first politician in the Republic of Moldova to be directly elected for two consecutive terms. Additionally, Maia Sandu is the first woman to serve as Head of State and the sixth President of the Republic of Moldova.
