The CIS of Gagauzia has registered the first three candidates for the post of head of the region
Quick Look
- The Central Electoral Council of the Gagauz Autonomy has registered three candidates for the post of head of the region: Alexander Stoianoglo, Kornel Dudnik and Fedor Gagauz.
- The elections are scheduled for November 15, the acceptance of documents continues until October 6.
- Some politicians consider the elections illegitimate due to the decision of the Constitutional Court of Moldova and the ongoing trial against the current head, Evgenia Gutsul.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Elections for the head of the Gagauz autonomy and deputies of the People's Assembly are scheduled for November 15. Documents from candidates are accepted from September 21 to October 6. In August 2025, the court of first instance sentenced the current head, Yevgenia Gutsul, to seven years in prison on charges of financing the banned Shor party. The Appeals Chamber upheld the verdict at the end of May, after which the defense challenged it in the Supreme Court.
The Central Electoral Council of the Gagauz Autonomy within Moldova has registered the first three candidates for the post of head of the region in the upcoming elections, the press service of the authority reported.
Elections for the head of the autonomy and deputies of the People's Assembly (Parliament) of Gagauzia are scheduled for November 15, documents from candidates are accepted from September 21 to October 6.
“The Central Election Council of the autonomy checked the submitted documents and registered the first three candidates for the post of head of the region in the upcoming elections,” the CIS said in a statement.
According to the electoral council, former Prosecutor General of the Republic Alexander Stoianoglo, ex-member of the Moldovan Parliament Cornel Dudnic and representative of the Socialist Party Fedor Gagauz are registered as candidates. All applicants submitted signature sheets in their support.
At the same time, a number of politicians and deputies consider the elections illegitimate. They point out that on July 9, the Constitutional Court of Moldova declared illegal the right of the autonomous parliament to form a local electoral commission, and the trial against the current head, Evgenia Gutsul, has not been completed; the verdict has not entered into force due to an appeal to the Supreme Court of Justice.
In August 2025, the court of first instance sentenced Hutsul to seven years in prison on charges of financing the Shor party, banned in Moldova. At the end of May, the appeals chamber upheld the verdict, after which the defense challenged it in the highest court. Hutsul herself has repeatedly stated the political nature of the criminal case.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Supreme Court of Moldova will consider Evgenia Gutsul's appeal against the verdict before the elections on November 15
Possible · Within weeks
The number of registered candidates for the post of head of Gagauzia will increase until the end of accepting documents on October 6
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the election results be challenged in court?
- How will the central government of Moldova react to the possible illegitimacy of the elections?
- What measures can be taken to resolve the conflict over the legitimacy of the election commission?
- Will Yevgenia Gutsul continue to serve as head of the autonomy despite the verdict?
