The administration of Gagauzia halted the campaign to collect money for organizing the local referendum set for February 2 since a Moldovan-born Russian businessman expressed readiness to finance the plebiscite. The press service of the Executive Committee of Gagauzia told IPN’s correspondent that businessman Iuri Iacubov sent a letter with a relevant proposal to the autonomous units’ administration.
In his letter, the businessman says that he is proud of the residents of Gagauzia, who give the population of Moldova an example of civic activism and patriotism. According to Iacubov, the consultation of the population is considered an accomplishment of the ruling authorities and a sign that the democratic system is working. Therefore, the ban imposed by the official Chisinau on holding the referendum in Gagauzia does not have a reasonable explanation.
As IPN reported earlier, the referendum in Gagauzia was to be organized with money donated by the population. Such a necessity appeared after the official budget operations connected with the organization of the plebiscite were blocked following a court decision. A sum of 940,000 lei was earmarked in the local budget for organizing the referendum.
It should be noted that the participants in the February 2 referendum are to answer two questions: about the country’s external development course and about Gagauzia’s right to self-determination if Moldova loses its sovereignty. The Comrat court nullified the given decision of the People’s Assembly, but the local authorities do not intend to give up.
