This Democracy and Governance (DG) assessment identifies the principal challenges confronting the government and citizens of Moldova in their transition from authoritarian rule. The assessment examines this young country’s political environment, historical foundation, and current trajectory. Employing the framework developed by USAID’s Office of Democracy and Governance, the analysis identifies key political actors, their interests, and the institutional arenas in which they operate. It also identifies those actors and institutional arenas most amenable to further democratic development. The analytic framework is intended to assist USAID develop a programmatic strategy to support Moldova’s evolution toward a more transparent democratic government and political culture.