Two pro-Russian candidates will fight in the second round for the position of Bashkan of Gagauz autonomy
The candidate of the Șor Party, Evghenia Guțul, and Grigorii Uzun, supported by PSRM, will fight in the second round for the position of Bashkan, according to the preliminary results of the local elections released by the Electoral Commission of the Gagauz autonomy. Mihail Savastin and Petr Ianioglo also received the most votes in the elections for deputies to the People's Assembly.
According to the Comrat Electoral Commission, Evghenia Guțul received 14,890 votes or 26.1% of the vote, while Grigorii Uzun received 14,849 votes or 26.04% of the vote.
Both candidates called for closer relations with the Russian Federation. The candidate of the Șor party, Evghenia Guțul, whose party has been sanctioned by the US for illegal interference in the electoral process and promoting Moscow's interests in Moldova, promised during the campaign to turn Gagauz autonomy into a "dreamland". Filip Kirkorov has performed online at his election concerts, and Russian singer Nikolai Baskov has said he will visit Gagauzia if Yevgeny Gutul is elected Bashkan. Both Kirkorov and Baskov are known for statements in support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In third place, with 9,132 votes, is another pro-Russian candidate, Victor Petrov, backed in the election campaign by socialist Vasile Bolea.
The pro-European ruling party PAS had no candidate in the Gagauz autonomy.
President Maia Sandu previously said that the Gagauz region is dominated by Russian propaganda, and that many candidates for the post of Gagauz autonomy's Bashkan are "agents of the Russian Federation rather than politicians who want to work for the citizens of Gagauz autonomy".
More than 57,000 citizens took part in the 30 April elections in the Gagauz autonomy, with a turnout of 57.8%.
