Gagauzia’s powers at stake after bashkan vacancy decision
Journalist and public-political figure Mihail Vlah has addressed an open letter to deputies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, urging them to reconsider the decision declaring the post of bashkan of Gagauzia vacant.
In his view, the elections scheduled for 15 November must be postponed until all legal violations have been eliminated.
“Today, all of Gagauzia is looking at you,” Vlah wrote, addressing the elected representatives.
He stressed that the issue is no longer about the political ambitions of individuals, but about the future of Gagauzia’sinstitutions.
“Today, this is no longer about the political ambitions of individual people. It is about the future of the institutions of the Gagauz autonomy. All of Gagauzia is watching to see whether the deputies we elected have the courage to take responsibility.”
According to Mihail Vlah, it is the People’s Assembly that will determine whether the autonomy remains a genuinely functioning institution or becomes no more than “a line on paper”.
Vlah calls for legal action against Chișinău decisions
Vlah said he believes Gagauz deputies must give a legal assessment of the central authorities’ actions over elections in the autonomy and challenge, through the procedures established by law, decisions that violate the powers and special status of Gagauzia.
“There is no need to wait. You can see how PAS is taking decisions for you,” he said, calling on deputies to act immediately.
“Gather together. Take responsibility. Protect Gagauzia’s powers by legal means,” Vlah urged.
He reminded deputies that governments come and go, and deputies change, but the Constitution, the law and the Gagauz autonomy must remain.
“Now is the time to act,” he concluded.
The situation in Gagauzia itself is extremely tense. The mandate of the current People’s Assembly expired at the beginning of 2026, the organisation of new elections has been blocked for months, and bashkan Evghenia Guțul has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
At the same time, PAS has not yet decided on its own candidate for the post of bashkan. Insiders say the Chișinăuauthorities are most likely to present two of their own candidates, whom they will support discreetly, aware that the Gagauz people reject PAS appointees. Possible rivals will then be cleared from the electoral field.
Time will show whether Gagauz deputies are ready to defend the interests of the autonomy, or whether their own personal comfort matters more to them than the independence of an entire people. For now, some of the most opportunistic and pliant politicians have already announced their intention to run for bashkan of Gagauzia, despite having a Romanianpassport in their pocket.
