Reuters reported that voters in Moldova’s autonomous Gagauzia region voted Sunday for a new leader and legislature amid competing claims about Russian influence and political repression.
Gagauzia gained autonomous status as Soviet rule ended and has a history of opposition to Moldova’s authorities. The southern region is inhabited mainly by ethnic Turks, and residents generally favor close ties with Russia, Reuters reported.
Eight candidates sought the bashkan post, the region’s leadership role. Reuters identified lawyers Fiodor Gagauz and Alexandr Stoianoglo as front-runners. Gagauz represents the pro-Russian Socialist Party; Stoianoglo ran against Sandu in the 2024 presidential election, which she won.
Former regional leader Evgenia Gutul was sentenced in 2025 to seven years in prison on charges of illegally channeling Russian money to finance a political party. Moldova said the party was a front for Russian meddling.
Russia has denounced Gutul’s imprisonment, arguing that Moldova’s pro-European leadership is suppressing opposition.
Sandu’s government, which opposes Russia’s war in Ukraine, accuses Moscow of interfering in Moldovan affairs and hopes the country can join the European Union by 2030.
