Members of the Moldovan Parliament, members of former fugitive MP Ilan Shor’s team, have signed and registered with the Constitutional Court a petition asking for verification of the constitutionality of President Maia Sandu’s refusal to sign the decree appointing Gagauzia’s Bashkan, Evghenia Guțul, as a member of the Government.

The 18-page petition was signed by five MEPs: Petru Jardan, Marina Tauber, Denis Ulanov, Vadim Fotescu and Reghina Apostolova.

According to the document published in a statement issued by the party, the arguments put forward by the officials are “considered unfounded and contrary to the law”.

“The law does not allow any exception or other reasons for refusing to fulfill this obligation. The situation has become critical, given that more than 8 months have passed since Mrs. Evghenia Gutul took office as Bashkan. The arguments put forward by the officials are considered unfounded and contrary to the law,” the complaint states.

The authors of the complaint added that being a member of the Government was not and is not a privilege, but only a legal means of defending the legitimate interests of autonomy, and “the President’s refusal to fulfill this constitutional obligation is a serious violation of the fundamental laws of the country”.

“It is a violation of the Fundamental Law, the Law “On the Government of the Republic of Moldova” and the Law “On the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia. This attitude towards the official representatives of the autonomy also contravenes the special legal status of the Gagauz ATU, guaranteed by Article 111 of the Constitution, and is a proof of discrimination and disrespect towards the entire Gagauz people,” the lawmakers added.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu argued the lack of a decree confirming Bashka Yevgenia Gutul as a member of the government, saying that the law does not set a deadline for signing the document. The statements were made during the “In Profunzime” program on Pro TV Chisinau.

“Neither the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia has settled with this person, let alone us. (…) The law does not set a deadline for appointment. As long as things have not been clarified even in the autonomy, in the People’s Assembly, we have no reason to rush with this decision. There are also some suspicions about this person. The Government is staffed by people who work for the citizens of Moldova and who respect the Moldovan state. When there are suspicions that someone is part of a criminal group or working for the interests of another state, we have to investigate things, there is no reason to hurry,” the head of state said.

The Comrat Court of Appeals validated on 22 May 2023 the mandate of Evgenia Gutul, a member of the unconstitutional “Shor” party, as the new Gagauz governor.