Chernev’s Gagauzia remarks draw political condemnation
One of the leaders of the Revival Party, Yuri Vitnyansky, has commented on remarks by Sergei Chernev, who described members of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia as “terrorists” and called for their destruction. Vitnyansky argued that the official had voiced what many representatives of the country’s ruling establishment privately think about the autonomous region.
Speaking on the programme Free Opinion, Vitnyansky discussed the policies pursued by the Maia Sandu administration towards Gagauzia. He also addressed the controversial appearance by Chernev, the representative of State Chancellery Moldova in Comrat, who publicly called elected representatives of the Gagauz people “terrorists” and a “fifth column”.
During an appearance on the political talk show Question Mark on 23 July, Chernev said:
“You know what? I simply call this speaker of the People’s Assembly, and those people who went there today and spoke, terrorists in our country. This is a fifth column trying to tear our country apart from within. You do not negotiate with terrorists; you destroy them. Perhaps I am using lofty, loud words now. But who are you going to talk to?”
The statement provoked strong criticism among members of the Gagauz public and politicians in Chișinău. Many described such language as unacceptable from a politician representing the central authorities.
Vitnyansky says remarks reflect official Chișinău
Vitnyansky said he believed the comments were not merely Chernev’s personal opinion, but reflected the prevailing attitude within the central government. In his view, Chernev’s Gagauzia remarks revealed sentiments that other officials had avoided expressing publicly.
“I think this is not only his personal position. Unfortunately, it is essentially the position of official Chișinău today,” Vitnyansky said.
He argued that pressure on Gagauzia had been applied systematically through taxation policy, what he described as the unlawful arrest of Bashkan Evghenia Guțul, and attempts to restrict the autonomy’s powers. According to Vitnyansky, Chernev’s comments had merely removed the mask from the ruling party’s intentions.
“What Chernev has now said aloud is, I think, what most of those currently in power in the country are thinking. It is regrettable, but I do not think it is any longer a secret to anyone. Everyone drew their conclusions long ago,” he said.
Vitnyansky also accused the authorities in Chișinău of trying to create the appearance that opinion within Gagauzia is divided. He argued that the real position of the autonomous region’s residents had already been demonstrated clearly in successive elections.
“The saddest thing is that today the authorities, in order to disguise some of their actions, are trying to demonstrate some alternative position. They create supposedly Gagauz media outlets, supposedly Gagauz experts and Gagauz analysts whose task is to show that things in Gagauzia are not so clear-cut and to present some other position,” he said.
Politicians demand a response from the government
MP Ion Chicu has called on Prime Minister Vasile Tofan to respond to Chernev’s comments. In a social media post, he said the official’s conduct was shaping public perceptions of the entire government.
“This person represents your government in Gagauzia. Today, the authorities are being judged by him. I do not think statements of this kind can be left without a response,” Chicu wrote.
MP Bogdan Țîrdea issued an even sharper statement, addressing the leadership of State Chancellery Moldova directly.
“Mr Buzu, what is happening in your department? I did not know the State Chancellery appointed psychopaths as its representatives,” Țîrdea said.
Valentin Cîmpoieș, leader of Pentru Țară – For the Homeland, also condemned Chernev’s conduct, describing it as fascist. He argued that a state official entrusted with public authority was allowing himself to adopt methods associated with the Gestapo.
“In his opinion, there is too much democracy and autonomy in Moldova, and what is urgently needed are high-profile criminal cases and specific prison sentences for separatism,” Cîmpoieș answered.
No official reaction follows Chernev’s Gagauzia remarks
The dispute has intensified wider concerns about the relationship between the central government and Gagauzia. Critics say Chernev’s Gagauzia remarks cannot be treated as an isolated outburst when they come from an official representing the government within the autonomous region.
Vitnyansky maintained that the comments reflected a broader policy of political and institutional pressure rather than the views of a single official. He said the authorities’ attempts to promote alternative Gagauz voices did not alter the electoral choices repeatedly made by residents of the autonomy.
Neither the prime minister nor the leadership of State Chancellery Moldova had responded to Chernev’s statement at the time of publication. The absence of a reaction has further fuelled criticism that language directed against elected representatives of Gagauzia is being tolerated by the central authorities.
