Stoianoglo suspends his deputy mandate to run for Gagauzia governor
On September 7, Alexandr Stoianoglo, the deputy of the parliamentary faction of the "Alternativa" Bloc, announced his candidacy for the position of governor of Gagauzia. The former prosecutor general, who is originally from Gagauzia, stated that he would suspend his parliamentary mandate for the duration of the campaign. He also mentioned that he would release his electoral program, which will include objectives, deadlines, and sources of financing, at a later date.
“Why did I make this decision? Why not remain a deputy? The answer is largely shaped by my experience in Parliament. Having served in several legislatures, I understand both the possibilities and limitations of Parliament, as well as the consequences of decisions made at the state level. This experience led me to an important conclusion,” declared Alexandr Stoianoglo at a press conference held on Monday morning at Parliament.
He explained that while a deputy can raise issues or propose laws, the role of mayor carries a different kind of responsibility, one that is directly tied to managing resources and achieving tangible results for citizens.
“Not every problem in Gagauzia can be solved in Parliament. A deputy can raise questions, propose laws, and advocate for decisions at the state level. However, the Bashkan has a different responsibility: he represents the executive power of the autonomy. This involves leading a team, setting priorities, managing resources, and, above all, delivering concrete results for which you must answer to the people. Therefore, for me, the question is not about which position is higher but rather what more you can accomplish and what responsibilities you are willing to personally undertake. I am ready to assume responsibility for the executive power of the autonomy”, Stoianoglo said.
The former prosecutor general indicated that he would not present a detailed electoral program during the conference, as it would be made public separately, clearly outlining objectives, deadlines, and sources of financing.
“Today, I will not substitute the announcement of my decision with the presentation of the electoral program. I will share the program separately, detailing specific objectives, deadlines, and funding sources. We will discuss the economy and job creation, the challenges young people face that compel them to leave because they don’t see a future for themselves here, the future of our villages, education, the potential of our autonomy, and, of course, the relationship between Comrat and Chișinău,” said Stoianoglo.
Relationship between Comrat and Chisinau: Focused on autonomy and problem-solving
Alexandr Stoianoglo emphasized the importance of maintaining a constructive relationship between the authorities in Comrat and those in Chisinau, stating that it should be based on "respecting the competencies of autonomy and addressing the people's needs," rather than allowing disagreements to escalate into open conflicts.
Stoianoglo also made it clear that, if elected, he would not make promises that exceed the mayor's authority. "I will not promise the people things that are beyond the powers of the mayor. When I do have the power to act, it must be explicit what will be accomplished, within what timeframe, with what funding, and who will be responsible for the outcome," he added.
Additionally, he announced that he would retain his parliamentary mandate. While his activity as a deputy will be suspended during the electoral campaign in accordance with the law, his mandate will remain intact. "I am not relinquishing my mandate as a deputy. During the electoral campaign, my parliamentary activity will be paused as required by law. However, the mandate is preserved, and it is crucial to clearly separate the duties of a deputy from participation in the electoral campaign," Stoianoglo explained.
Elections for the position of Bashkan of the Gagauzia Territorial Administrative Unit will be held on November 15, 2026. These elections will take place alongside the elections for the People's Assembly of Gagauzia (PAG). This decision was made by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) on September 1, as the PAG did not set the election date within the required legal timeframe.
The position of Bashkan became vacant following the final conviction of Evghenia Guțul during the summer of this year. The authorities in Comrat made a formal decision regarding this vacancy on August 17, 2026.
According to legal regulations, regional elections must be organized within three months of the vacancy occurring, and the election date must be determined by local deputies at least 80 days prior to the election.
The CEC estimates that the elections in the autonomy will cost over 13.6 million lei, which will be funded by the state budget. This amount will cover the operations of the Central Electoral Council of Gagauzia, the constituency electoral councils, and the electoral bureaus.
Additionally, the funds will be allocated for personnel expenses, logistical services, the purchase of ballots and electoral materials, and to provide financial resources in case a second round of voting is necessary for either position.
