Politics

02 October, 2026 / 17:37

/ 1 hour ago

Candidates for position of Gagauzia's bashkan must know Romanian language; Moldova's Constitutional Court rejects challenge by Party of Socialists

The Constitutional Court today rejected the application filed by MPs of the Party of Socialists of Moldova (PSRM), challenging the requirement that candidates for the position of Bashkan (governor) of Gagauzia know the Romanian language.

President of the Constitutional Court Domnica Manole announced the decision of the constitutional court.

“The Constitutional Court rules: The application concerning the constitutional review of the text ‘and Romanian’ in Article 161 paragraph (4) of the Electoral Code, adopted by Law No. 325 of December 8, 2022, filed by PSRM deputies, is rejected. The text ‘and Romanian’ in Article 161 paragraph (4) of the Electoral Code, adopted by Law No. 325 of December 8, 2022, is recognized as constitutional. This ruling is final, may not be subject to any appeal, enters into force on the date of its adoption, and shall be published in the Official Journal of the Republic of Moldova,” Domnica Manole said.

The application filed by the Socialist deputies concerned the constitutional review of certain provisions of the Electoral Code, including the text ‘and Romanian’ in Article 161 paragraph (4), which establishes the requirement for candidates for the position of Bashkan of Gagauzia to know the Gagauz and Romanian languages.

PSRM representatives argued that this requirement restricts the right to be elected and challenged the provision’s compliance with the Constitution and the Law on the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia.

The elections for the position of Bashkan of Gagauzia are scheduled to take place on November 15, 2026.

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