The People’s Assembly of Gagauzia is expected to decide on Wednesday, August 26, when elections for the position of Bashkan of the autonomous region will be held. The issue has been included on the agenda of an extraordinary meeting of the legislative body in Comrat.
The position of Bashkan was officially declared vacant on August 17, 2026, following the conviction of Evghenia Gutul in a case concerning the illegal financing of political parties controlled by Ilan Shor. The People’s Assembly voted to declare the position vacant at its meeting that day.
Alongside the election date, lawmakers are expected to consider a declaration on the need to respect the powers of local authorities and their electoral rights.
The decision comes amid a prolonged political crisis in Gagauzia. The autonomy has faced disputes over the organization of elections to the People’s Assembly, while the future of the Bashkan’s office has also become uncertain following the court proceedings against Gutul.
Earlier this month, discussions in Gagauzia also intensified over the possibility of holding elections for the Bashkan and the People’s Assembly simultaneously. Such a scenario had previously been discussed by representatives of the autonomous region.
At the same time, Moldovan media reported in recent days, citing sources, that structures parallel to the constitutional authorities could potentially be established in Comrat at Moscow’s urging. Officials in Gagauzia rejected the documents cited in those reports as fake.
The upcoming decision by the People’s Assembly will therefore be closely watched, as the date of the Bashkan election could influence the broader political situation in the autonomy and its already tense relationship with Chisinau.