The Comrat Appeals Court validated the outcome of the March 22 Governor elections in Gagauzia and approved the mandate of the chosen Bashkan (Governor) Irina Vlah on March 30, IPN reports.

Irina Vlah ran as an independent candidate, but in the election campaign was openly supported by the Party of Socialists. According to the Comrat Election Commission, Irina Vlah polled 32,543 votes or 51.01% of the ballot. The voter turnout was 58.1%.

Now that the Appeals Court validated the election results, the Commission is to hand over the permit to the future Bashkan and to stage the official installment. The Bashkan is an ex officio member of Moldova’s Cabinet.