Evghenia Gutul, convicted for illegal financing of parties linked to Ilan Shor, sent a message from prison amid disputes over the election process for the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. She stated that she is ready to defend the future of the autonomy.
The message, published on social media via her lawyers, refers to a request by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Moldova to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova to review the legality of provisions regarding the powers of the People’s Assembly in the context of elections in the region.
“Even from prison, I closely follow the events taking place in the autonomy. I received with deep concern the news about the referral submitted by the Minister of Justice, Vladislav Cojuhari, to the Constitutional Court. (…) Society is being told that the participation of the bashkan and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia in appointing representatives of state institutions would create ‘double subordination’ and violate the principle of state unity. (…) We are talking about a consistent attempt to limit the real powers of Gagauz autonomy.
Claims that the law on the special legal status of Gagauzia lacks ‘constitutional value’ are alarming. Let me remind you that this law became a political and legal compromise that allowed the preservation of stability and peace in our country. Attempts to revise its content through decisions of the Constitutional Court create a dangerous precedent and could lead to the complete dissolution of the autonomy. (…) I believe that together we can defend the legality, dignity, and future of our autonomous region,” the message on Gutul’s page states.
On March 17, a meeting of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia is scheduled to take place in Comrat. Igor Dodon, leader of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova, has also been invited. The agenda includes the referral submitted by Vladislav Cojuhari to the high court, the organization of elections in the region, and the use of the terms “Central Electoral Commission” or “Central Electoral Council.”
Authorities in Chisinau insist on harmonizing legislation and propose aligning election rules in the region with national standards. This includes verification of members of the electoral body by the Security and Intelligence Service of Moldova and integrity authorities.
Officials in Comrat, however, argue that the region should retain the right to independently form its own electoral commission and organize elections based on the law governing its special status.