The Russian Foreign Ministry is concerned that Russian representatives were not allowed into the Republic of Moldova to observe the elections in Gagauzia, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Chisinau of an “unfriendly approach to Russia,” desdechi.md writes.

• “We are closely monitoring the processes in the Gagauz Autonomous Region, with which we are connected by close cultural, humanitarian, spiritual, commercial and interregional ties.
• Russian representatives have always participated in election monitoring in this region. “Unfortunately, this time the Russian embassy in Moldova was deprived of such an opportunity, unlike employees of diplomatic missions of other states,” Zakharova said.

She claims that the refusal to invite Russian observers contradicts numerous agreements and conventions signed by the Republic of Moldova.

• “Thus, Kishinev once again demonstrated an unfriendly approach to Russia and demonstrated a tendency to apply double standards,” Zakharova stated.

On Sunday, residents of Gagauzia, a semi-autonomous region of the Republic of Moldova, waited at polling stations to elect their mayor (no, governor). There were eight candidates in the race, all against the pro-Western leadership of Chisinau.

Socialist Hryhoriy Uzun and representative of the “TsOR” party Yevgenia Hutsul entered the second round of the elections, which will be held on May 14, reports desdechi.md.

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said last week that many candidates for the position of governor of Gagauzia are “rather agents of the Russian Federation than politicians who want to work for the citizens.”

The head of the Moldovan state believes that Russian propaganda is successful in Gagauzia because the inhabitants do not know the Romanian language, and therefore Maia Sandu insists on implementing a program to study the Romanian language so that people can integrate.