GETR: "Republic of Moldova: Integration and Tensions Between Chisinau and Găgăuzia"

 

 "Republic of Moldova: Integration and Tensions Between Chisinau and Găgăuzia"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Global Encyclopedia of Territorial Rights

22 May, 2026

P 1-9

Published: https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-319-68846-6_878-1 

 The Autonomous Territorial Unit of Găgăuzia (Unitatea Teritorială Autonomă Găgăuzia) is an autonomous region in the south of the Republic of Moldova, primarily populated by the Gagauz people, who are primarily Eastern Orthodox Turkic. The region, divided into four enclaves, has a population of around 150 thousand inhabitants and is generally underdeveloped. Găgăuzia has strong relations with both the Russian Federation and Türkiye. Moldovan President Maia Sandu and her administration have attempted to improve relations between Chisinau and Găgăuzia to promote national integration. However, the general Gagauzian population is generally Moscow-friendly and remains skeptical of Moldova’s plan to join the European Union. The region overwhelmingly voted against President Sandu and a pro-European Union referendum during the country’s October–November 2024 presidential elections, underscoring skepticism among Gagauzians about Sandu’s pro-Europe project. Sandu (who was re-elected) will continue to face a tough challenge to convince Gagauzians to support EU membership. The August 2025 conviction of Gagauzian leader Evghenia Guțul will make this situation even more problematic.

NE Global: "Maia Sandu’s slim win: Moldova struggles between Europe and tradition"

 

 

"Maia Sandu’s slim win: Moldova struggles between Europe and tradition"

 Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

NE Global

11 November 2024

Originally published: https://www.neglobal.eu/maia-sandus-slim-win-moldova-struggles-between-europe-and-tradition/

The results of Moldova’s recent presidential elections and referendum are final. President Maia Sandu won a re-election bid, while a referendum to cement the country’s European Union (EU) aspirations was also (barely) approved.

In a tight race, President Sandu obtained 42 percent of the vote during the first round on October 20. Her opponent, former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo, from the Socialist Party (Partidul Socialiștilor din Republica Moldova, PSRM), received 26 percent of the vote; he is generally regarded as being Moscow-friendly. The run-off occurred on 3 November, with Sandu winning 55.41 percent against Stoianoglo’s 44.59 percent.

 

 

"Moldova battles for soul of pro-Russian Gagauzia"

By: Octavian Coman with Anne Beade

13 March 2024

Agence France Presse

Originally published: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/moldova-battles-soul-pro-russian-071116811.html

- Uphill battle -

Moldova's President Maia Sandu "is making real efforts to improve relations with Gagauzia, to win the hearts and minds of its people", according Wilder Alejandro Sanchez, a Moldovan expert at the Washington-based Second Floor Strategies.

Besides the language classes, the government is also upping investment in the region, including a new road to connect Chisinau with southern Moldova, including Gagauzia.

But he told AFP it would "take years and years, maybe decades, to change the beliefs of the population" and convince them that "efforts to join the EU will not destroy their identity".

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E-International Relations: "Understanding and Approaching Moldova’s Pro-Moscow Gagauzia Region"

 

"Understanding and Approaching Moldova’s Pro-Moscow Gagauzia Region"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Lucia Scripcari

E-International Relations

5 August, 2023

Published: https://www.e-ir.info/2023/08/05/understanding-and-approaching-moldovas-pro-moscow-gagauzia-region/

The war in Ukraine brought global attention to countries with Moscow-friendly governments, including separatist regions like Transnistria in the Republic of Moldova. Leaving aside Transnistria, another Moscow-friendly region within Moldova is Gagauzia, which recently had gubernatorial elections: the new Governor (locally known as Başkan) is the pro-Moscow Evghenia Guțul from the now-banned Șor Party. Besides the fighting on the physical battlefield, there is also a parallel global war of information and disinformation to gain popular support. As a predominantly Russian-speaking population, the Gagauzians are firmly under Moscow’s influence, in contrast with Chisinau, which supports Kyiv.

 

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Geopolitical Monitor "Moldova and Türkiye: Keeping Friends Close"

 

"Moldova and Türkiye: Keeping Friends Close"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Report

Geopolitical Monitor

11 January 2023

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/moldova-and-turkiye-keeping-friends-close/

There is a tendency to view the Republic of Moldova’s foreign policy as solely focused on Europe, the United States, or Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s decision to apply for European Union membership have tended to reinforce that idea. However, Chisinau has one vital partner that does not fall in either category: the Republic of Türkiye.

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