Gagauzia autonomy marks election victory and local constitution day
Evghenia Guțul, the Bashkan of Gagauzia, who has been held in pre-trial detention for more than a year, addressed residents of the autonomy on two significant dates: the second anniversary of her election victory and the anniversary of the adoption of the Gagauz Statute, the region’s local constitution.
Her message was delivered through her lawyers.
On May 14, 2023, Guțul won a decisive victory in the second round of the election. According to her, residents of the autonomy, tired of empty promises and inaction, voted at the time for real work, development and justice. From the first days in office, she said, the Gagauzia team proved it could deliver results despite pressure.
“It is symbolic that on this same day we also mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Gagauz Statute, our basic law, which defines the rights of the autonomy and guarantees its special status. Unfortunately, in recent years these principles have been grossly violated by the central authorities,” Guțul said.
She recalled that, contrary to the Statute, she was not included in the Moldovan government, although she said this was Chișinău’s direct obligation. This was followed, she said, by unlawful detention, politically motivated prosecution and an attempt to effectively strip her of her mandate.
Despite everything, Guțul insisted, “they failed to break us”. In her view, this is because the people, truth and the law stand behind them.
Vlah says pressure is becoming systematic
Mihail Vlah, a deputy in the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, said the autonomy had reached a decisive moment in preserving Gagauz and Moldovan identity, as well as statehood more broadly. In Vlah’s view, globalist elites have given their local allies permission to dismantle Gagauzia’s autonomy, while pressure on the region is moving into a systematic phase.
He expressed particular concern over statements by Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu that members of electoral bodies should undergo checks by the Information and Security Service. Vlah believes this is no longer about dialogue, but about an attempt to place elections to the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia under external control.
“In effect, Moldova’s unconstitutional authorities are proposing a model in which security and central structures would determine the fate of elections in Gagauzia. This is a direct violation of the spirit and principles of the Law on the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia,” he said.
The deputy also pointed to developments in Orhei and Copceac, where, according to him, the same pattern is being used: inconvenient candidates are removed, others are intimidated, and people are pressured through the police and courts.
According to Vlah, the recent visit of police chief Viorel Cernăuțeanu to Comrat, and the conspicuous absence of the Gagauzia flag at a meeting with mayors, was not accidental. He called it another sign of disrespect from the ruling authorities towards the autonomy.
Vlah urged deputies of the People’s Assembly to defend the law on special status, rather than help dismantle it with their own hands. Gagauzia today needs equal dialogue, not ultimatums, he said.
Guțul, for her part, said she was confident that, whatever obstacles are created, the Gagauz team must continue working for the people, peace, justice and a dignified future for the autonomy. Gagauzia will remain strong, she said, as long as its residents stay united and do not abandon their principles or their right to decide their own future.
