Moldova's new PM Vasile Tofan heads to Bucharest for first official visit, with energy and EU accession on the agenda

A new government in Chișinău

Vasile Tofan became prime minister of Moldova on 21 July 2026, nine days after the unexpected resignation of Alexandru Munteanu. Munteanu stepped down on 3 July, saying he could no longer exercise his mandate "in accordance with his principles and convictions." President Maia Sandu designated Tofan, a 44-year-old businessman, to lead the new cabinet. Parliament confirmed the government with 53 votes, and the 16-member cabinet, overseeing 14 ministries, was sworn in at the presidency in Chișinău in the presence of Sandu and Speaker Igor Grosu.

Tofan studied at Erasmus University Rotterdam and Harvard Business School and speaks English, French, Dutch, Ukrainian and Russian. He co-founded the civic movement "Europa 202" and is an investor through Horizon Capital, a fund managing about $1.6 billion focused on Ukraine and Moldova. He led investments in Purcari, Glass Container Company and Maib, and sits on the boards of AmCham Moldova, Startup Moldova and Media Alternativa. Earlier in his career he worked at Monitor Group and at Philips in Amsterdam, and during his MBA he founded Ovia Health, later acquired by Labcorp.

At his investiture, Tofan told parliament:

“We will listen, we will decide and we will implement. I choose to work for a European economy and an efficient state.”

The Bucharest schedule

Tofan's first official visit abroad begins on Thursday 30 July in Bucharest. At 11:00 he will be received by President Nicușor Dan at Cotroceni Palace. An hour later, at 12:00, interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan will welcome him at Victoria Palace with an official ceremony and photograph in the Honour Hall. A tête-à-tête is scheduled for 12:10, followed by a plenary meeting of the two delegations at 12:45. The day concludes with joint press statements at 13:15.

What is on the table

The Romanian government said the two leaders will discuss the status and acceleration of bilateral projects, with emphasis on transport and energy, aiming to strengthen connections between the two banks of the Prut River. A government statement noted:

“The two senior officials will also address issues related to the security situation in the region, against the background of Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the security and economic consequences of this war.”

Bolojan will reiterate Romania's firm support for Moldova's EU accession and discuss concrete assistance and diplomatic coordination to advance the process. The Chișinău government added that the prime ministers will cover strategic projects of common interest that directly affect citizens on both sides of the Prut, economic cooperation and regional security developments.

Beyond the executive

Tofan's programme also includes meetings with the leadership of the Romanian Parliament and a session with representatives of the Club of Bessarabian Businessmen, focused on stimulating investment and supporting the business environment. The visit is the first high-level contact between the two governments since the change of cabinet in Chișinău and is expected to set the tone for bilateral cooperation in the months ahead.