Moldova asserts unitary authority over Gagauzia elections
Moldova’s Constitutional Court ruled on July 9 that regional elections in the autonomous unit of Gagauzia must follow national legislation, ending the operation of Comrat's independent regional election commission.
The court validated a request from Justice Minister Vladislav Cojuhari, declaring unconstitutional several provisions in the 1994 law governing Gagauzia's special legal status.
Under the ruling, local authorities in Comrat can no longer appoint regional electoral commissions or directly approve local heads of police, justice, and intelligence services without central oversight.
National framework over local autonomy
Constitutional Court President Domnica Manole clarified that autonomy granted under Article 111 of the Constitution does not create a separate legal order or a secondary level of constitutional power.
"Local autonomy must operate within the limits imposed by the unitary state, sovereignty, and a single system of public authorities," Manole stated following the verdict.
The court ruled that Gagauzia’s regional elections will now be organized by a Central Electoral Council operating under Moldova’s national Electoral Code, reporting to the central election authority in Chisinau.
Gagauzia leadership reacts with sharp criticism
Valentin Gaidarji, President of the Gagauzia People's Assembly, strongly condemned the ruling, calling it an illegal political intervention in the rights of the Gagauz people and demanding the resignation of Domnica Manole.
Gaidarji warned that the decision risks deepening tensions between Chisinau and Comrat, adding that he will hold urgent consultations with local deputies to determine further actions.
Conversely, State Secretary for the Ministry of Justice Mihai Gheorghieș welcomed the decision, stating that the case aimed to establish clear legal boundaries regarding regional autonomy and central government authority.
Institutional impasse in Comrat
The ruling comes amid a prolonged political crisis in Gagauzia, where the regional assembly’s mandate expired in November 2025 without new elections taking place.
Previous election dates scheduled for March and June 2026 were canceled by Moldovan courts after local electoral regulations were found to violate national laws.
The Gagauzia People’s Assembly recently scheduled a new attempt to hold regional legislative elections on November 15, 2026, which must now strictly adhere to national electoral procedures.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
