Moldova nears fix for Gagauzia vote
A framework to hold free and fair elections in Moldova’s autonomous region of Gagauzia could emerge within days, according to President Maia Sandu. The announcement follows high-level talks in Chișinău between the central government and local officials from Comrat.
Sandu stated on April 29 that a joint working group is actively developing a solution. Representatives of Gagauzia’s People’s Assembly and local mayors are collaborating with national electoral authorities to break the current political deadlock.
The president emphasized the geopolitical stakes of the local ballot. She stressed that the people of Gagauzia must independently choose their representatives, completely free from outside interference.
Electoral deadlock and legal disputes
The political crisis stems from Comrat's refusal to align its local procedures with Moldova’s national Electoral Code.
Gagauzia’s People's Assembly mandate expired in November 2025. Subsequent election dates set by the local legislature for March 22 and June 21, 2026, were annulled by the Southern Court of Appeals at the request of the State Chancellery.
Tensions peaked over institutional naming conventions and operational authority. While national law stipulates a single Central Electoral Commission in Chișinău and designates local bodies merely as electoral councils, Comrat insists on maintaining its own independent electoral organ.
Consequently, the Ministry of Justice has petitioned the Constitutional Court. The court will determine whether provisions in Gagauzia’s special autonomy law—specifically those allowing the region to appoint its own electoral body—violate the national constitution.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
