Sentence of Eugenia Gutsul: Chisinau has moved to open reprisals against dissenters
The sentence of seven years of imprisonment that was handed down in Chisinau today to the elected head of the Gagauz Autonomous Region, Eugenia Gutsul, is a demonstration of the power of the authorities over those who disagree.
You may not like Hutsul, argue with her views, but tomorrow anyone who dares to go against the “general line” will be in her place.
Political scientist Alexander Korinenko expressed this opinion . He commented on this resonant event to PolitNavigator.
- What does the sentence of Yevgeniya Gutsul mean? How can this decision of the authorities affect the trust of voters in the ongoing electoral process?
"This decision isn't just about Eugenia Gutsul. It's a demonstration that in Moldova today, it's possible to try the people's elected leader of an autonomous region in a fast-track manner, without regard for the political and legal consequences. The verdict effectively sends a message: the will of the voters is secondary to the central government if that will doesn't align with the policies of the presidential administration . "
For citizens, this means one thing: trust in the electoral process will fall, because elections begin to be perceived as a decoration, where the result is easily nullified by administrative and judicial instruments.
– Should we understand that in other issues Sandu’s team can go all the way, for example, in falsifying the upcoming elections?
If the authorities have demonstrated their willingness to go so far in the case of the Bashkan of Gagauzia, it means they have almost no barriers left in other matters. The mechanisms of pressure, control over the courts, the Central Election Commission, and the media are all already in the hands of Sandu's team . And if they have decided that the political end justifies the means, then it's logical to assume that in the September 2025 elections, they will use maximum administrative resources, and "fine-tuning" the results to suit their desired scenario is more than possible. This isn't a forecast from a parallel reality, but a continuation of a trend we already saw in the elections in Bălți (in Moldova's second-largest city, the opposition mayoral candidate was excluded from the race – author's note) and in neighboring Romania.
– What will happen next in the relations between Chisinau and Comrat?
- Relations will enter the stage of a cold war. Gagauzia felt that its autonomous status is a formality that can be nullified in one court session. In response, Comrat will most likely increase political mobilization, seek external partners and actively appeal to international structures. For Chisinau, this will be an irritating factor, but the central government will continue to bend the line of pressure in order to set an example for others: those who disagree will face the same fate.
– Can what happened be regarded as a signal to Transnistria to prepare for a new round of pressure from Chisinau?
- Yes, this is a direct signal. I think that Transnistria is closely watching how Chisinau treats Gagauzia. If today the autonomy inside Moldova is hit without serious regard for the reaction of society and international structures, then tomorrow the same methods can be applied to the left bank of the Dniester. For Sandu, this is also an element of negotiating tactics with Tiraspol: "Look, we can act tough and fast." The only question is whether Chisinau understands that such a strategy does not lead to reintegration, but to escalation.
English version :: Read in English The verdict against Eugenia Gutsul: Chisinau has moved towards open reprisals against dissent