BAROMETRUL Informat.ro - INSCOP Research - The perception of Romanians regarding the Republic of Moldova, May 2026. Chapter 3: The activity of Maia Sandu | 68.8% of Romanians have a very good or good opinion about the activity of Maia Sandu

The perception of Romanians regarding the Republic of Moldova, May 2026

Chapter 3: Maia Sandu's Activity

According to the survey "The Perception of Romanians Regarding the Republic of Moldova", conducted as part of the project "Barometrul Informat.ro – INSCOP Research", edition X, two-thirds of Romanians have a good opinion about Maia Sandu's activity.

BAROMETRUL Informat.ro – INSCOP Research, edition X, is a periodic opinion poll conducted by INSCOP Research on behalf of the news platform Informat.ro in partnership with the think-tank Strategic Thinking Group.

BAROMETRUL Informat.ro – INSCOP Research aims to bring to the public's attention topics of interest to stimulate national conversations about various subjects and essential public policies for the present and future of Romania, based on the opinions of Romanians in partnership with prestigious think tanks and academic institutions. It is an initiative through which we aim to contribute to the strengthening of democracy by using scientific and credible tools that bring the voice of citizens to the forefront of public debate.

Methodology: the data from the research "The Perception of Romanians Regarding the Republic of Moldova" were collected between April 14-21, 2026, using the CATI method (telephone interviews), with a simple random sample volume of 1100 people, representative of significant socio-demographic categories (gender, age, occupation) for the non-institutionalized population of Romania, aged 18 and over. The maximum allowable error of the data is ±3%, at a confidence level of 95%.

The graphical presentation of the data is available here.

Remus Ștefureac, director of INSCOP Research: "The data indicate that Maia Sandu has a positive public image in Romania, mainly built on her association with the pro-European direction and proximity to Bucharest. The very clear perception that Maia Sandu is closer to Romania and not to Russia shows that the image of the President of the Republic of Moldova is becoming, in the eyes of a solid majority of Romanians, synonymous with the idea of breaking away from Russian influence and permanently anchoring in the European and Western space. The differences between political electorates and social categories show, however, that the perception of Maia Sandu is, partially, also an indicator of internal polarization in Romania. More pro-European and urban segments overwhelmingly support her, while the AUR electorate is significantly more reserved against the backdrop of the hostile narratives promoted by the party's leaders. Thus, the evaluation of Maia Sandu functions as a litmus test of how various segments of Romanian society relate to the West, Russia, and the strategic direction of the region."

Maia Sandu's Activity

68.8% of Romanians have a very good or somewhat good opinion about Maia Sandu's activity as President of the Republic of Moldova (28.9% of respondents have a very good opinion, while 39.9% have a somewhat good opinion). 8.1% have a somewhat bad opinion, and 11.5% a very bad one. 11.7% do not know or do not respond.

Voters of PSD, PNL, and USR, people with higher education, and residents of small urban areas have a better opinion about Maia Sandu's activity at a higher percentage than the average.

They have a bad opinion about the activity of the President of the Republic of Moldova in a higher proportion than the rest of the population: AUR voters, people with primary education.

Maia Sandu's Relationship with Romania vs. Russia

71.3% of survey participants say that the statement "Maia Sandu is closer to Romania than to Russia" best corresponds to their opinion, while 14.3% choose the statement "Maia Sandu is closer to Russia than to Romania." 14.3% do not know or do not respond.

They consider that Maia Sandu is closer to Romania than to Russia at a higher percentage than the average: PNL and USR voters, people over 60 years old, those with higher education, residents of small urban areas.

AUR voters, people aged 30 to 44, and those with primary education believe the most that Maia Sandu is closer to Russia than to Romania.

Maia Sandu's Contribution to the Closer Relationship Between Romania and the Republic of Moldova

57.5% of Romanians believe that Maia Sandu contributes to a very large extent or to a fairly large extent to the closeness of the relationship between Romania and the Republic of Moldova (21% of survey participants believe that Maia Sandu contributes to a very large extent, and 36.5% to a fairly large extent). 15.1% appreciate that Maia Sandu contributes to the closeness between the two countries to a fairly small extent, while 18.2% to a very small extent or not at all. The proportion of non-responses is 9.1%.

They believe that Maia Sandu contributes to a large extent to the closeness between Romania and the Republic of Moldova at a higher percentage than the average: PSD, PNL, and USR voters, people aged 30 to 44, those with higher education, residents of Bucharest and large urban areas.

AUR voters, people aged 45 to 59, and those with primary education believe in a higher proportion than the rest of the population that Maia Sandu contributes to a small extent/not at all to the closeness between the two neighboring countries.