Gagauzia elections: Three candidates for Bashkan are officially registered
Eight candidates will compete for Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia in the November 15 elections. On Monday, October 12, the Central Electoral Council of Gagauzia (CECG) registered the final three contenders: former Socialist MP Ivanna Koksal, the mayor of Comrat municipality Serghei Anastasov, and the mayor of Copceac village Oleg Garizan. All three are running as independent candidates.
Ivanna Koksal, 48, is a native of Cazaclia and holds a degree in philology. She has worked in journalism—including in a leadership role at the regional public broadcaster Gagauziya Radio Televizionu (GRT)—and served as an advisor to former Bashkan Mihail Formuzal.
Koksal served two terms as a deputy in the People's Assembly of Gagauzia and was a Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova from 2019 to 2025, elected on the lists of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) and, subsequently, the Bloc of Communists and Socialists. In this capacity, she criticised the government in Chișinău, particularly its policies supporting Ukraine.
In late September, she announced her independent candidacy after the Socialists decided to back Fiodor Gagauz. Koksal subsequently criticized PSRM leader Igor Dodon, claiming the party had considered her candidacy without her consent.
Serghei Anastasov, 62, has led the municipality of Comrat since 2015 and is in his third term as mayor. He was initially elected from the Our Party, in 2019 he ran with the support of the Socialists, and in 2023 he obtained a new mandate as an independent.
Before he became a mayor, Anastasov was active in business, particularly in furniture production. As head of the municipal administration, he promoted infrastructure projects and collaborated with external partners, including those from the European Union, Romania, and Turkey.
In his relationship with Chisinau, Anastasov took a different approach than the autonomy's leadership in recent years. He maintained contacts with the central authorities, including President Maia Sandu, and spoke in favor of the European integration of the Republic of Moldova. He announced his candidacy on September 25, citing his administrative experience and the need to develop the region's economy.
Oleg Garizan, 55, is from Copceac, a village he led from 1999 to 2009 and has headed again since 2015. He graduated from the Faculty of History at Moldova State University and previously worked in education and research.
From 2009 to 2014, Garizan served as a Member of Parliament for the Republic of Moldova, representing the Party of Communists. In 2015, he ran for Bashkan of Gagauzia and received 5.11% of the vote.
Garizan previously supported initiatives that sparked controversy with Chișinău, including the 2014 referendums in Gagauzia, which were challenged by central authorities. In the current campaign, he pledges to protect the Gagauz language and culture and promote local development, emphasizing that the Republic of Moldova is the homeland of the Gagauz people.
Previously, the CECG registered five other candidates: Fiodor Gagauz, supported by the Socialist Party; Ivan Cîlcic, nominated by the Gagauz People's Party; Petru Vlah, candidate of the "NOI – New Historical Option" Party; and independent candidates Alexandr Stoianoglo and Cornel Dudnic.
Thus, of the eight candidates, five are independents, while three were nominated by political parties.
According to the CECG, it will approve the ballot paper design and text, the order in which the eight electoral contenders will appear, and any symbols for the independent candidates by October 14.
The election for Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia is scheduled for November 15, 2026. On the same day, residents of the autonomous region will also vote to elect the 35 deputies of the People's Assembly of Gagauzia.
