The representatives of the Democratic Party (PDM) in the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia initiated the dismissal of the Governor. As they couldn’t secure enough support from their colleagues, they tried to stage a ‘coup’. Such an accusation against the PDM was made by the region’s Governor Mihail Formuzal on November 18, IPN reports.

In an official statement, Formuzal says that on November 15, a group of deputies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia, who represent the PDM, attempted to remove him as Governor. But they didn’t manage to gather the necessary two thirds of the votes. However, the representatives of the PDM illegally named a colleague of theirs as acting Governor and tried to force an entrance into the Gagauz leader’s office.

“We thus can say that the attempt to dismiss the Governor turned into a ‘coup’ that was thwarted by the police,” said Formuzal, underlining that he continues to serve as Governor of Gagauzia.

The procedure for dismissing the Governor is described in two main laws. Under the law on the special legal status of Gagauzia, adopted by Moldova’s Parliament, the Governor can be dismissed by two thirds of the votes of deputies of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. At the same time, the Legal Code or the Constitution of Gagauzia does not specify the number of votes needed to remove the Governor. Under Article 70 of this Code, if the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia adopts a resolution on the dismissal of the Governor, a referendum on the issue is held within 30 days.