List of Presidents of Moldova: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Moldova from 1990 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Moldova, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Moldova: Maia Sandu (in office since 2020).

Presidents of Moldova in order, with years in office

Mircea Snegur

Served: 1990–1997

First president of Moldova, who led the country through independence in 1991.

Petru Lucinschi

Served: 1997–2001

Former Soviet-era party official.

Vladimir Voronin

Served: 2001–2009

Communist Party leader who resigned in September 2009 after the disputed parliamentary election.

Mihai Ghimpu

Served: 2009–2010 (acting)

Speaker of parliament who acted as president after Voronin's resignation.

Marian Lupu

Served: 2010 (acting)

Speaker of parliament who acted as president for a few months in 2010.

Mihai Ghimpu

Served: 2010–2012 (acting)

Acted as president again until Timofti's election.

Nicolae Timofti

Served: 2012–2016

Former judge elected by parliament after a long political deadlock.

Igor Dodon

Served: 2016–2020

First president elected by popular vote since 1996.

Maia Sandu

Served: 2020–present

First woman president of Moldova; she was re-elected in November 2024 with 55.35% of the vote in the runoff.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Moldova

Who is the current president of Moldova?

The current president of Moldova is Maia Sandu, in office since 2020.

Who were the previous presidents of Moldova?

The presidents and heads of state of Moldova listed on this page, in order, are: Mircea Snegur, Petru Lucinschi, Vladimir Voronin, Mihai Ghimpu, Marian Lupu, Nicolae Timofti, Igor Dodon, Maia Sandu.

Who was the first president of Moldova?

Mircea Snegur was the first president of Moldova, in office 1990–1997.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Moldova; Office of the President of Moldova (presedinte.md), Interfax, Informat and Rio Times reports, including October 2026 coverage (checked Nov 2026). Presidents since independence in 1991; acting presidents are labelled.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Europe countries