A new candidate for Gagauzia elections: Ivan Cîlcic, registered by CECG
The Central Electoral Council of Gagauzia (CECG) has officially registered another candidate—the fourth—for the position of Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia. The candidate is Ivan Cîlcic, deputy chairman of the Gagauz People's Party.
Ivan Cîlcic is originally from Georgia. He was born on October 24, 1966, in Sukhumi and currently resides in Comrat. He holds a university degree and is a mechanical engineer. He is married and has two children.
The candidate has previously participated in elections in Gagauzia. In 2021, he ran as an independent candidate for a seat in the People's Assembly, representing constituency No. 3 in Comrat. In the first round, he received 150 votes—10.79%—and finished third. In the repeat election, he obtained 103 votes, or 8.16%.
According to the financial disclosure filed in 2021, Ivan Cîlcic’s family reported income of 42,200 lei from a cooperative enterprise and 15,000 lei earned as a patent holder for the 2019–2020 period. At the time, the declaration listed Cîlcic as unemployed.
In September 2026, the Gagauz People's Party, of which he serves as vice-president, nominated him as a candidate for the office of Bashkan. The party's leader, Nicolai Dudoglo, presented him as "the people's candidate." The Public Services Agency registered the Gagauz People's Party on March 4, 2025. The party's leader, Nicolai Dudoglo, has run for the office of Bashkan four times—in 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2023.
In 2006 and 2010, he reached the runoff but lost to Mihail Formuzal. In 2015, he finished second behind Irina Vlah, while in the 2023 election, he secured 9% of the vote and placed fifth. For this year's election, Dudoglo has announced his candidacy for the Gagauzia People's Assembly.
To date, three other candidates have been registered for the Bashkan race: Fiodor Gagauz, backed by the Party of Socialists, and independent candidates Alexandr Stoianoglo and Cornel Dudnic.
Meanwhile, four other hopefuls are awaiting registration: Petru Vlah, nominated by the New Historical Option Party, and independent candidates Ivanna Koksal, Serghei Anastasov, and Oleg Garizan.
The election for the Bashkan of Gagauzia will take place on November 15. On the same day, the People's Assembly of Gagauzia will also elect 35 deputies.
