The governor of Gagauzia (, ) is the highest political position in Gagauzia, an autonomous territorial unit of the Republic of Moldova. They chair the Executive Committee of Gagauzia and are an ex-officio member of the Cabinet of Moldova.
Powers The position is created by the 14th article of the law on the legal status of Gagauzia No. 344-XIII (December 23, 1994), which entered into force on 14 January 1995. All state authorities in Gagauzia are subordinate to the governor. The governor is elected by universal, equal, direct, secret and free suffrage on an alternative basis for a term of 4 years. One and the same person can be a governor for no more than two consecutive terms. They must be a citizen of Moldova over 35 years old and know the Gagauz language. The governor can issue decisions and decrees valid throughout the territory of Gagauzia. The governor can also sign or veto laws, appoint the members of the cabinet, and grant pardons when allowed to do so by the People's Assembly.
List of governors No. Portrait Name Tenure Political party Notes Took office Left office Duration 1 Gheorghe Tabunșcic 19 June 1995 24 September 1999 Party of Communists Massive economic recession during tenure 2 Dumitru Croitor 24 September 1999 21 June 2002 Independent Forced to resign under pressure from the PCRM due to abuses of power – Valeriu Ianioglo 21 June 2002 10 July 2002 Independent Appointed interim governor by Croitor, rejected by the People's Assembly of Gagauzia – Ivan Kristioglo 10 July 2002 29 July 2002 Independent Appointed interim governor by the People's Assembly, tenure struck down by the Supreme Court of Justice of Moldova – Gheorghe Mollo 29 July 2002 9 November 2002 Independent Sought the expansion of the Romanian language in Gagauzia 3 Gheorghe Tabunșcic 9 November 2002 29 December 2006 Party of Communists Sought to rewrite the constitution of Moldova to create a federalized state. Lost his re-election bid. 4 Mihail Formuzal 29 December 2006 15 April 2015 Party of Regions Russophile, declared that Gagauzia has a right to self determination in the event of the unification of Moldova and Romania. 5 Irina Vlah 15 April 2015 19 July 2023 Party of Socialists Russophile, first female governor, granted a seat on the Supreme Security Council. 6 Evghenia Guțul 19 July 2023 5 August 2025 Victory Russophile, elected as a member of the Șor Party until the party's outlawing, took office as an Independent. Arrested while trying to flee the country due to corruption charges brought against her. – Ilia Uzun 5 August 2025 Incumbent Party of Socialists Appointed interim governor by the People's Assembly.
Timeline
Notes
See also Cabinet of Moldova President of Moldova
References
External links gagauzia.md