The deputies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia on November 15 decided that a local referendum on the foreign course of Moldova will be held in the region on February 2, 2014, IPN reports.

The draft decision on the organization of the plebiscite was included in the agenda during the meeting of the People’s Assembly. Two protests were taking place simultaneously with the meeting. The protesters divided into opponents and supporters of the Governor of Gagauzia Mihail Formuzal. The first demanded that the Governor resign, while the second that the deputies set the date of the referendum.

The initiative to hold a referendum was submitted by Mihail Formuzal to the People’s Assembly for approval at the beginning of October. The move was criticized by Moldovan officials, who said that only referendums on local matters can be organized in the autonomous region.