Candidates running for the position of Governor, or Bashkan, of Moldova’s Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia must know Romanian, following a decision by the Constitutional Court rejecting a challenge filed by the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM).
The Constitutional Court announced its decision on October 2. The Socialists had challenged amendments to the Electoral Code, arguing that the Romanian language requirement restricts the right to be elected.
The PSRM announced the challenge at the end of August.
“We consider that this provision limits the right to be elected and contradicts the law on the special legal status of Gagauzia, which establishes the conditions for candidacy for the position of Bashkan and provides for knowledge of the Gagauz language, but not Romanian,” Socialist Party leader Igor Dodon said when the complaint was filed.
The Socialists asked the Constitutional Court to declare the provision unconstitutional and remove it from the Electoral Code.
On August 24, Moldova’s Electoral Code was amended to introduce new regulations concerning postal voting and the organization of elections in Gagauzia.
Representatives of Parliament said the new measures are intended to strengthen the transparency, fairness and efficiency of elections.