A landmark decision curtails the autonomous region’s authority over local elections and security posts, prompting heated backlash in Gagauzia and a parliamentary review.
The Constitutional Court of Moldova found several provisions regarding the special status of Gagauzia to be unconstitutional. These changes included the region’s ability to independently organize regional elections, form the Central Election Commission, appoint the head of the autonomous police, and the director of the Information and Security Service. The court sent a letter to Parliament requesting amendments to the relevant legislation.
Reactions from Gagauzia were mixed: many politicians and public opinion leaders in the region saw Chisinau’s actions as an attempt to curb the autonomy’s powers.
Chronicle of events and consequences
In 2025, the Constitutional Court annulled the right of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia to appoint the region’s chief prosecutor. The autonomous region condemned the decision.
In August 2025, the court in Chișinău sentenced the head of Gagauzia, Yevgeniya Gutsul, to seven years in prison in the case of illegal financing of the pro-Russian Shor party, which was declared unconstitutional in 2023. After her arrest in March 2025, Gutsul urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to use the full arsenal of diplomatic, political, and legal pressure mechanisms against Moldova’s authorities.
Gagauzia is an autonomous territorial unit in southern Moldova, home to about 130,000 people.
Prospects and conclusions
These steps underscore the tensions between Chisinau and the region and raise questions about the future of the autonomy within Moldova’s legal framework.
The events highlight the need for open dialogue regarding the status of Gagauzia and possible changes to the legislation that would take into account the interests of both sides and ensure regional stability.
Gagauzia is an autonomous territorial unit in southern Moldova, home to about 130,000 people. The future steps of the authorities and the population of the autonomy will remain the subject of public discussion and legislative initiatives in Chișinău and the region.
In light of these facts, the next steps by the authorities and the region will continue to be the subject of public discussion and legislative initiatives in Chișinău and among the population of the autonomous region. The future status of Gagauzia will require careful dialogue and the search for a compromise within Moldova’s legislation.