People’s Assembly seeks solutions to unblock elections
Comrat is working to facilitate elections for a new composition of the People's Assembly of Gagauzia. The regional authorities state that they are adhering to national legislation while also emphasizing the region's special status. A document intended to resolve the crisis and enable the organization of elections will be voted on June 2.
During several meetings of the working group composed of deputies from Chisinau and Comrat, a document was developed proposing to rename the Central Electoral Commission of Gagauzia as the Central Electoral Council of Gagauzia, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Code.
The new electoral body will organize elections and will maintain the same composition as before: three members designated by the People's Assembly, three by the Executive Committee, and three by the Comrat Court.
Elections will be conducted in 35 single-member constituencies, with one mandate for every 5,000 voters. Additionally, each locality must have at least one deputy represented in the People's Assembly.
Individuals who have lived in Gagauzia for at least one year will be eligible to vote and run for office. Candidates must be at least 21 years old.
An electoral crisis in Gagauzia arose after local authorities refused to implement the provisions of the new Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova, which would have allowed the organization of elections. Although the mandate of the local legislature expired in November 2025, the elections could not be held on schedule. Both dates initially set for the vote — March 22 and June 21, 2026 — were subsequently canceled by the courts.
Last week, the interim president of the legislative body in Comrat warned that there are two potential scenarios; one of which could leave Gagauzia without the opportunity to elect a new composition for the People's Assembly.
"Currently, there are two options: either we approve the document and trigger elections for the People's Assembly (...), or, if the proposal put forth by the parliamentary working group is not accepted, we have been clearly informed that we will await the decision of the Constitutional Court," declared Nicolai Ormanji in a video message.
He urged his colleagues in the People's Assembly to recognize the responsibility of the decision being made and emphasized that the solution proposed by the working group is not harmful to the inhabitants of the region and does not involve the surrender of any powers.
