Gagauzia rejects election delay following court ruling

The People's Assembly of Gagauzia has reaffirmed its intention to hold regional elections on November 15, despite a recent ruling by Moldova's Constitutional Court challenging the autonomous region's authority over the electoral process.

Speaking at a briefing, Valentin Gaidarji, Speaker of the People's Assembly, said the autonomous authorities would seek talks with Moldova's central government to establish a legal framework for organizing the vote while maintaining that the election date should remain unchanged.

"In light of the decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova, the People's Assembly considers it necessary to begin a constructive dialogue with the central authorities to develop a legal mechanism for organizing elections in the autonomy. <...> The elections must take place on schedule. The People's Assembly reaffirms its principled position. The elections should not be delayed and must be held on November 15, as previously determined by the People's Assembly of Gagauzia," Gaidarji said.

He emphasized that the Constitutional Court's decision does not automatically strip the autonomous region of its powers.

On July 9, Moldova's Constitutional Court ruled unconstitutional several provisions of the law governing Gagauzia's special legal status following a request filed by the Ministry of Justice.

Gaidarji also announced that the Gagauz autonomy would launch broad consultations before proposing amendments to the legislation regulating its special status.

By Vafa Guliyeva