---
title: "Economic hardship shapes Gagauzia dual elections amid populist vows "
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/89788/economic-hardship-shapes-gagauzia-dual-elections-amid-populist-vows
published: 2026-11-15T17:54:31Z
language: en
author: "Dumitru Petruleac"
section: "Elections"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Economic hardship shapes Gagauzia dual elections amid populist vows 

> Voters in southern Moldova's autonomous Gagauzia region cast ballots on Sunday for a new governor and legislature, driven by high energy bills, low pensions, and competing visions over ties with Russia.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/d7c280f0-8ca6-43cf-ac38-84fd8079e81b.jpg)

Voters in southern Moldova's autonomous Gagauzia region cast ballots on Sunday for a new governor and legislature, driven by high energy bills, low pensions, and competing visions over ties with Russia.

**Economic pressure and geopolitical divides**

For many residents, household finances remained the primary concern at the ballot box. Pensioners told public broadcaster Radio Moldova Comrat that monthly stipends barely cover daily necessities amid elevated natural gas and electricity tariffs.

*“I voted for life to improve,”* one resident said. *“I receive €149 (approx. 3,000 MDL) and my wife gets the same—how can we survive on €298 (approx. 6,000 MDL) when gas and electricity are so expensive?”*

Another retiree said he still needs employment to help his family cope with rising living costs. *“I voted for peace and a decent life for our children and grandchildren, but pensioners also need jobs—how can I live on a €174 (approx. 3,500 MDL) pension?”* he said.

While some voters prioritized closer alignment with Moscow, others demanded justice, lower consumer prices, and improved governance within Moldova. *“We are voting for closer ties with Russia and normal relations with everyone—our future is Russia, nothing else,”* one man said.

Other residents voiced broader socio-economic expectations or deep skepticism toward local political elites. *“I am voting for justice first, and for prices to fall so life in Moldova can be good,”* one woman said, while another voter noted he balloted for *“better times that will probably never come.”*

**Campaign promises versus institutional powers**

Throughout the electoral campaign, candidates running for Gagauzia's 35-seat People's Assembly promised repaired roads, modern sewage networks, higher pensions, and lower natural gas tariffs. However, political analysts and former regional lawmakers warned that many of these pledges exceed the legislature's legal mandate.

While the People's Assembly passes regional laws and approves the autonomy's budget, it does not execute infrastructure works or set pensions and energy tariffs. Those responsibilities belong either to Gagauzia's Executive Committee or to Moldova's central authorities in Chișinău.

Igor Boțan, executive director of the Chișinău-based Association for Participatory Democracy (ADEPT), noted that regional deputies can address local problems through legislative initiatives and cooperation with the governor, known locally as the Bashkan. However, lawmakers cannot directly build infrastructure or raise pension payouts.

Former People's Assembly deputy Ecaterina Jekova also urged voters to verify whether candidates' campaign promises match the constitutional powers of the office they seek.

**Dual ballot across 67 polling stations**

More than 129,000 registered voters were expected across 67 polling stations on Sunday, November 15, between 07:00 and 21:00 EET. Voters received two ballots printed in Romanian, Russian, and Gagauz to simultaneously elect the regional governor and the People's Assembly.

Eight candidates are competing for the post of Bashkan, while 138 contenders are vying for the 35 legislative seats in Comrat.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**

**RELATED COVERAGE**

* [Gagauzia election staff sing Moldova anthem as regional polls open](https://moldova1.md/p/90279/gagauzia-election-staff-sing-moldova-anthem-as-regional-polls-open)
* [Gagauzia expects more than 129,000 voters on Sunday](https://moldova1.md/p/90251/gagauzia-expects-more-than-129-000-voters-on-sunday)
* [Gagauzia elections: Candidates separated by a 50-year age gap](https://moldova1.md/p/90140/gagauzia-elections-candidates-separated-by-a-50-year-age-gap)
* [Moldova election body faces Comrat gridlock ahead of regional vote](https://moldova1.md/p/88356/moldova-election-body-faces-comrat-gridlock-ahead-of-regional-vote)
* [Three candidates for Gagauzia's Bashkan are officially registered](https://moldova1.md/p/87496/three-candidates-for-gagauzia-s-bashkan-are-officially-registered)