Moldova's president delays signing decree appointing new Gagauz leader
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has said she will not sign the decree appointing Evghenia Guțul as the new leader of the Gagauz Autonomous Region until she receives more information about a criminal case against Guțul.
Sandu said in an interview with TV8 that she respects the people's choice, but that all elected officials must work in the interests of Moldova, not for the interests of another country or corrupt groups.
"I don't see why I should rush to sign if there are still so many questions around this issue," Sandu said. "We will wait for answers to some questions we have at the Prosecutor's Office."
Guțul, a representative of the unconstitutional Shor Party, won the May elections for the position of bașcan, the head of the Gagauz Autonomous Region. The election was contested by the Moldovan government, which alleged irregularities and fraud.
In early September, the regional prosecutor's office launched a misdemeanour case against Guțul, accusing her of abuse of power and exceeding her authority. Her defenders have called the case a political one, initiated at the behest of the government.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
