The ADEPT Association held a new edition of the ADEPT Press Club, dedicated to analyzing one of the most sensitive institutional situations in the Republic of Moldova: the deadlock surrounding the organization of elections for the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia and its implications for the relationship between regional autonomy and central authorities.

During the event, Igor Boțan, political analyst and Executive Director of ADEPT, presented the analysis “Developments in the Institutional Crisis in Gagauzia,” a study that clearly and thoroughly explained how the institutional impasse in ATU Gagauzia has evolved since the autumn of 2025. The analysis traced both the timeline of the crisis and its structural causes—particularly the inconsistencies between regional and national electoral legislation, as well as the administrative and legal decisions that made it impossible to hold elections within the legal timeframe.

At the core of the issue lies what appears to be a technical problem, yet one with far-reaching consequences: the lack of a clear and functional legal framework for establishing the electoral body in Gagauzia. Amendments introduced at the regional level, combined with provisions of the new national Electoral Code, created conflicting interpretations of the law and effectively blocked the electoral process. In the absence of a solution accepted by all parties, the elections were postponed, and uncertainty persisted, including with regard to the vote scheduled for June 21, 2026.

The analysis proposed a balanced, law-based approach aimed at overcoming the polarization between positions expressed in Chișinău and those in Comrat. The document outlined several options for resolving the deadlock, each carrying different legal and political implications. These include:

• clarifying and applying the hierarchy of legal acts by the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia in line with national legislation;
• intervention by the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova through an administrative act to enable the organization of elections;
• potential legislative amendments at the national level to eliminate ambiguities that have fueled the crisis.

Pavel Postica, Vice-Chair of the Central Electoral Commission, stressed that only Parliament, the Central Electoral Commission, and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia are empowered to adopt normative acts in the electoral field, while the autonomy’s powers are strictly limited to regional particularities. “Although a deadline was provided for regulating these particularities, it was not used. In the absence of clear normative solutions, subsequent actions contributed to blocking the electoral process,” the official stated.

For her part, Larisa Voloh, Member of Parliament (MP) of the Republic of Moldova reiterated that any solution must be grounded in respect for the constitutional framework: “The Republic of Moldova is a unitary state, and respecting the Constitution and the hierarchy of legal acts is essential. At the same time, we must guarantee free and fair elections and prevent voter bribery, manipulation, and disinformation.” She emphasized that dialogue between Chișinău and Comrat must be based on legality, fairness, and the adaptation of the legal framework to current realities.

MP Igor Chiriac warned that the current deadlock is fueled by the refusal to apply clear rules and mechanisms for verifying the integrity of the electoral process. “We cannot build fair elections on rules that have generated problems in the past,” he said, highlighting the need for common standards and respect for the legal framework.

Participants in the debate agreed that overcoming the crisis requires genuine dialogue between central authorities and those of the autonomy, as well as the assumption of decisions in line with national legislation. The shared objective remains to unblock the situation and ensure the organization of free and fair elections for the citizens of Gagauzia.