Irina Vlah secured a second term as governor (başkan) of the Gagauz autonomy this Sunday, scoring an overwhelming 92% victory – according to preliminary results – and avoiding the need for a second round.

Serghei Cimpoieș polled 7.27%, Ivan Burduji – 0.89%, and Dmitri Manol – 0.64%. Some 55,000 eligible voters took part in the first round, meaning a turnout of 50.35%.

President Igor Dodon was among the first to congratulate Irina Vlah on her re-election this morning. “The high level of confidence shown by voters is the best testimony to her effective work as başkan, as well as to her professional and personal traits”, Dodon posted to Facebook.

Four years ago, Irina Vlah won her first term also without the need for a runoff, after polling 51.01% in the first round.