The stake of the elections to choose the Bashkan (Governor) of Gagauzia is great. Some of the forces from outside support certain candidates because they want support and influence in this region. At the same time, a Bashkan with managerial skills focusing on economic problems will be suitable for the Moldovan authorities. The opinions were stated in a special edition on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.

Expert in ethnical problems Victor Grebenshchikov said the stake of the elections in Gagauzia is great and there are sides interested in maintaining the pro-Russian forces active in this region because they want to enjoy certain support here. Some of the candidates running in the elections are supported by parties pleading for Eurasian integration, which is nothing else but a utopian idea. But it is the people from the region who must decide the future course.

Ex-Premier Dumitru Braghis said that Russia pursues its own interests on such strategic territories as the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, but the Moldovan authorities must take steps to attract the people from this region and should become involved more and discuss will all the candidates so as to identify solutions to the existing problems and ultimately give their support to one candidate.

According to Braghis, such discussions are not held now. Moreover, no candidate for the post of Bashkan is a member of Moldovan parties. Even if they were party members earlier, they chose to run independently in the elections because they do not want to cooperate with the parliamentary parties.

Director of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CReDO) Sergiu Ostaf said it would be suitable for the Moldovan authorities if the future Governor of Gagauzia is a good manager who will deal with the economic problems.

Victor Mocanu, who heads the Association of Sociologists and Demographers of Moldova, also said that the stake of the elections is big. According to studies carried out in the region, the people there invoke the same problems as the population from the other districts, but mention also the political situation. Also, the people in Gagauzia want the export markets to be extended and this problem is to be solved by the future Bashkan.

The first round of the elections in Gagauzia will take place on March 22. The second round, if it’s necessary, will be held on April 5. Twelve candidates are running in these elections.