Vladimir Odnostalco
The elections, scheduled for November 15, 2026, will be held under the current first-past-the-post system. After that, a transition to a proportional representation system, similar to the one used in local council elections, is planned.
The bill also establishes the status of the Central Election Commission of Gagauzia. It will consist of seven to 11 members, who must meet the established requirements for candidates for public office.
The changes clarify the powers of the electoral council and integrate it into the unified electoral administration system.
As Logos press has previously reported , the parliamentary majority explains the reform as necessary to bring the legislation into compliance with a decision by the Constitutional Court. The opposition, in turn, believes that the proposed changes go beyond the scope of the court’s decision and limit the autonomy’s authority to organize elections.
Today, PSRM Deputy Vladimir Odnostalko once again proposed removing from the bill the provision requiring candidates for the office of Bashkan of Gagauzia to be proficient in the Romanian language.
“The autonomy is an ethnic region, and the people living here cannot be restricted in their right to run for elected office in their region. This contradicts European practice and constitutes a discriminatory provision against the residents of the autonomy. This provision also contradicts the Constitution,” the lawmaker stated.
The PSRM stated that it intends to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, the European Commission, and other international bodies, as well as to the Constitutional Court. According to Odnostalko, the Socialists are confident that they will be able to secure the repeal of the controversial provision.
