In the document, the mayors of the autonomous region outlined their position on all key issues, including resolving the crisis surrounding the elections in Gagauzia, as well as the idea— raised during a meeting with the country’s president—of introducing a proportional representation system for elections in the autonomous region.
Logos Press presents the text of the document unedited:
Declaration.
We, the mayors of the administrative-territorial units of Gagauzia, taking into account the current political and institutional situation in the autonomous region, the concerns of Gagauzia’s residents regarding the current state of affairs, and taking into account the results of the meetings held with the President of the Republic of Moldova and the deputies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, deem it necessary to declare the following:
1. On the preservation of Gagauzia’s special legal status
We oppose any amendments to the Law of the Republic of Moldova “On the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia” and other fundamental legislative acts that directly affect the status, powers, and functioning of the autonomy, without first taking into account the views of the residents of Gagauzia and without broad public and institutional discussion with the authorities of the autonomy.
Any decisions that could significantly affect the existing system of relations between the central authorities of the Republic of Moldova and the autonomous region must be made in accordance with the principles of dialogue, mutual respect, and consideration of the interests of the people of Gagauzia.
We consider it unacceptable to adopt decisions with long-term consequences for the autonomy without the participation of its legally elected representatives and local public authorities.
2. On the Need for Elections and a Political Reset
We consider it unacceptable to further delay the holding of elections to the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia.
The Gagauzia Mayors’ Association calls for elections to the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia and the election of the Bashkan of Gagauzia to be held within the shortest timeframes provided for by law.
We consider it appropriate to hold the elections for the Bashkan of Gagauzia and the Gagauz People’s Assembly on the same day, which will allow for a full-fledged political reset of the autonomous region’s governing bodies and ensure a way out of the current institutional crisis.
We are convinced that democratic elections, held within the timeframes established by law and based on the equal participation of citizens, are the only legitimate way to form governing bodies and restore public trust.
3. On Preserving the Majority Electoral System
We consider it necessary to preserve the current principle of forming the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia based on a majority electoral system with single-member districts.
This system ensures direct representation of every settlement and electoral district, allows citizens to elect specific representatives who are personally accountable to their constituents, and helps maintain a direct link between deputies and local communities.
4. On the Reform of Local Public Administration and the Merger of Municipalities
We consider it necessary to postpone the implementation of the voluntary consolidation of municipalities and other reforms of the administrative-territorial structure in Gagauzia until the formation and recognition of the new composition of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia and the formation of the autonomy’s Executive Committee.
Reforms affecting the administrative-territorial structure, the system of local public administration, and the interests of the autonomous region’s settlements should be carried out only after broad discussion and with due consideration of the views of local public administration bodies and the population of Gagauzia.
We believe that carrying out large-scale administrative reforms amid the current political and institutional crisis could lead to further tensions and will not contribute to strengthening stability and social harmony.
5. Regarding the Appeal to Central and Regional Authorities
The Gagauzia Mayors’ Council calls on central and regional authorities to refrain from making unilateral decisions that could deepen the political and institutional crisis, and to focus their efforts on restoring constructive dialogue.
We are convinced that a way out of the current situation is possible only through dialogue, democratic procedures, the holding of elections, respect for Gagauzia’s special legal status, and consideration of the views of its residents.
We call on all parties to act responsibly, to refrain from political confrontation, and to work together to create the conditions for holding legitimate elections and establishing fully-fledged autonomous government bodies.
The stability of Gagauzia and the Republic of Moldova is a shared responsibility of all levels of public authority.
The Gagauz Mayor’s Office expresses its readiness for constructive dialogue with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the President of the Republic of Moldova, the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, and other state institutions with the aim of finding solutions that serve the interests of the residents of Gagauzia and ensure the stable democratic development of the autonomous region.
Members of the Gagauz People’s Assembly may join
As Grigori Kior, mayor of the village of Kazaklia in the Gagauzia Autonomous Territorial Unit, told Logos Press, it was expected that following the meeting with the country’s president, deputies of the People’s Assembly and the mayor’s office would sign a joint declaration.
However, not all deputies attended the meeting to discuss the document, so it was not possible to reach a joint position.
“Perhaps the People’s Assembly will join our declaration later. But we decided to take responsibility ourselves and adopt this declaration, because in the current situation, time is of the essence—not just every day, but even every hour. We want to demonstrate a constructive approach and a willingness to solve the autonomy’s problems through joint efforts. Mayors are closest to the people, and we understand very well what concerns the residents of the autonomy most today. And we very much hope to be heard in Chisinau and Comrat,” Grigori Kior told Logos Press.
