After the extraordinary session in which they set the date for the elections for the autonomous legislature, the deputies of the Gagauz People’s Assembly continued their work in an extended format. The meeting took place at the Culture House in Comrat, where, at the invitation of the Gagauz authorities, former governors and representatives of the pro-Russian forces in Moldova participated, including the former president Igor Dodon, reports the IPN correspondent from UTA Gagauzia.
The participants urged the Gagauz authorities “not to give in” and to organize the elections in accordance with local legislation, even if this would contradict national norms.
The interim president of the Gagauz People’s Assembly, Nicolai Ormanji, announced the setting of the poll for June 21 and the official launch of the election period. Former governor Mihail Formuzal accused the central authorities of “gradually limiting autonomy”, turning the region into a “reservation”. “It’s a myth that the region is completely under Shor,” Formuzal stated.
In turn, the former governor Irina Vlah asked Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu to withdraw the complaint filed by the Ministry of Justice at the Constitutional Court, as a premise for resuming dialogue.
The former president Igor Dodon, leader of the Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova, stated that he is willing to promote the position of autonomy on international platforms, including at a planned meeting in Strasbourg, on April 25. He requested the dispatch of an official address, for the presentation of this position.
The former deputy Ivan Burgudji urged the regional authorities not to accept changes to the national legal framework and mentioned that any amendment to the law on the status of Gagauzia can only be introduced with the agreement of three-fifths of the deputies from Chisinau.
And the local authorities have commented on the situation. The Mayor of Comrat, Serghei Anastasov, advocated for the development of the region and the reduction of tensions, criticizing the blocking of visits by officials from the central level.
The dispute between Comrat and Chisinau is based on a legal conflict. The Supreme Court of Justice suspended the APG decision to create a regional electoral commission, considering the term “CEC Gagauzia” illegal. According to the law, the body carries the official name of “Electoral Council of Gagauzia”. Consequently, the deputies annulled the elections previously scheduled for March 22. At the same time, the Ministry of Justice notified the Constitutional Court regarding the competences of the governor and the electoral bodies from the autonomy.
