Vadim Ceban
As reported by Logos Press, the elections to both the regional parliament and for the head of the autonomous region are scheduled for the same date – 15 November 2026.
To date, six candidates have announced their intention to stand for the post of Bashkan of Gagauzia:
– Fyodor Gagauz – a former member of the Moldovan Parliament, nominated by the Party of Socialists (PSRM);
– Alexandru Stoianoglo – a current member of the Moldovan Parliament and former Prosecutor General. He has submitted the necessary documents to form an initiative group (independent candidate);
– Corneliu Dudnic – a former member of parliament for the Democratic Party, who has submitted documents to form a citizens’ initiative group;
– Serghei Anastasov – Mayor of Comrat, has announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate;
– Petru Vlah – a lawyer and businessman, has submitted documents to register a campaign group;
– Roman Tyutin – a former member of the Gagauzia People’s Assembly – has declared his candidacy on behalf of the ‘Alliance of Moldovans’ party.
It is possible that other candidates may emerge before 6 October, when the deadline for submitting documents to stand in the election for Bashkan of the autonomous territorial entity expires. The election campaign itself will begin on 16 October.
Vadim Cheban on his candidacy and the election
Even before the election campaign began, many analysts had named Vadim Cheban, the current head of ‘Moldovagaz’ and former deputy Bashkan of the autonomous region from 2015 to 2019, as one of the possible candidates for the post of the new head of the autonomous region.
Since the start of the election period, attention on his candidacy has only intensified. He responded to this with a special post on social media.
“These are thoughts that have taken shape following several dozen calls from the Gagauz Autonomous Region from people whom I deeply respect and value.
People are concerned. The Gagauz community is fragmented and consumed by internal conflicts. Many are disillusioned and no longer trust state institutions. I am being urged to stand in the Bashkan election – ‘to fight against one candidate’ or ‘to prevent another from being elected’.
My dear fellow countrymen!
I have no plans to stand for election. I have a job that presents me with enough challenges and fully absorbs my physical and intellectual energy. There is just one ‘but’. I am Gagauz. I was born and raised in Gagauzia. My parents still live there, and I am often back home in my native village. Many of my friends and colleagues live in the Autonomous Region, and it pains me to see what is happening there at the moment.
The current socio-economic situation in the Autonomous Region clearly shows that the election for the Head of Gagauzia should not be about politics, names or conflict. This election should be about what Gagauzia will look like in four years’ time. If today the community is fragmented and consumed by conflict, in four years’ time people must be united, cooperate effectively and live in mutual understanding.
If many people are disappointed and pessimistic today, in four years’ time they must look to the future of the Autonomous Region and the country with optimism and confidence. If people do not trust state institutions today, in four years’ time they must have sufficient reason to respect these institutions and trust them.
These elections must be about the people and their future. I am convinced that Gagauzia needs a leader capable of bringing all the mayors and all the members of the People’s Assembly to the same table and reconciling them. Political and geopolitical preferences are secondary issues. Our well-being and future depend entirely on our unity, on our ability to organise ourselves and work together. Our future depends on us alone.”
Vadim Cheban goes on to write that he has worked in Gagauzia and knows how difficult it is to unite people and resolve all issues through dialogue and compromise. But this is essential, he believes, and he calls on all candidates in the election campaign to reject populism, grandiose promises and unachievable demands.
Vadim Cheban concludes his message to his fellow citizens with a call for unity and solidarity:
‘In the upcoming campaign for the Bashkan election, a fitting slogan could be: “Unity. Responsibility. Discipline. Efficiency”.
…When we unite, organise ourselves and begin to act effectively and responsibly, economic growth will inevitably follow. Investment will flow in, new jobs will be created, and we will experience a real improvement in our social well-being.
The truth is that there are no secrets to success, nor any magic. We are real people – and we are all very different. When we get on well, when we are united, when we respect and protect one another, when we are well organised and work effectively – we are capable of achieving a great deal.
Even things that seem impossible at first.”
This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.
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