New project aimed at ending Gagauzia’s electoral crisis to be unveiled this week
The project that has the potential to resolve the electoral crisis in Gagauzia is set to be presented to Parliament by the end of this week. Representatives from the People's Assembly of Gagauzia are finalizing the details of a document aimed at aligning the electoral procedures in the autonomy with the Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova.
"They mentioned that they have 5% remaining. The schedule is as follows: by Friday, they will present their draft, and colleagues from the People's Assembly will also present their draft. Following this, the colleagues from the Parliament will review it again to ensure everything from the Commission is in order. There was also discussion about financing the election," declared Speaker Igor Grosu before the Parliament session on May 14.
After the project is finalized, the debates in the committees of the People's Assembly will take place to establish the election date, the Speaker said.
"Next week, they will proceed with the approval process in the committees within the People's Assembly to set the session date, vote, determine the election day, and move forward," added Igor Grosu.
The Speaker of the Parliament does not believe this progress indicates a potential reduction of external influence in the region.
Do you think this is a sign that Moscow has abandoned this region?
Igor Grosu: "I don't think so. I don't think so. I don't think so. They have other plans, and obviously, they will try... The network is still active."
The official also emphasized that the authorities in Chișinău aim to prevent interference and illegal electoral practices.
"If we cut off cash financing for candidates, we are clearly intervening to prevent multiple voting. Electoral tourism must be curtailed, and electoral members should be vetted to ensure they have no criminal record... We must remain vigilant," the Speaker of the Parliament reiterated.
The electoral crisis in Gagauzia was triggered by local authorities' refusal to implement the provisions of the new Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova. This code would have allowed for the organization of elections for the People's Assembly on November 16, 2025, as mandated by law.
The elections could not be held on time due to the absence of a local electoral authority. Officials in Comrat insisted on referring to it as the "Central Electoral Commission" instead of the "Central Electoral Council," which is the term specified in the Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova. Authorities in Chisinau maintain that there can only be one Central Electoral Commission for the Republic of Moldova, located in Chisinau.
Although the Parliamentary Assembly initially scheduled the elections for March 22 and then for June 21, these decisions were later annulled by the courts.
Recently, Parliament Speaker, Igor Grosu, indicated that Gagauzia could establish a new local legislature by the end of this year.
