Irina Vlah, an independent candidate for Bashkan [Governor] of Gagauzia, may win a victory already in the first round of the forthcoming gubernatorial elections due on March 22, as per the opinion poll carried out by the Intellect Group by order of the Panorama Russian-language weekly newspaper of Chisinau.

 

Doctor of sociology Valentin Turcan said at the poll findings presentation held at Infotag today that Irina Vlah has outstripped by far all the rest local politicians, such as outgoing Bashkan Mihail Formuzal, ex-Mayor of Comrat Nikolai Dudoglo and other.

 

“According to our preliminary data, Vlah is polling 57.1% and her nearest opponent Dudoglo – only 23.3%, followed by incumbent Deputy Bashkan Valery Yanioglo with 8.5% and former Bashkan Dmitrii Croitor with 5.2%.

 

According to the expert, Irina Vlah’s high rating is largely due to the support being rendered to her by the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), which is fairly popular in the southern Moldovan autonomous region.

 

According to the poll, had a parliamentary election been held in Moldova next Sunday, 41.2% respondents would vote for the PSRM, 8% – for the Communist Party, and 6.3% for the Democratic Party.

 

“Such popularity has been because the PSRM openly promotes the Russian vector and openly stands for close cooperation with the Russian Federation, and this idea is backed by over 90% Gagauzia population”, said Turcan.

 

The poll was carried out on February 26 through March 2 among 988 adult residents of all of the autonomy’s 27 populated areas. The pollsters are saying that error should not exceed ±3.1%.

 

MOST OF GAGAUZ PEOPLE REGARD LACK OF JOBS AND HIGH PRICES AS CHIEF PROBLEMS

 

The population of the southern Moldovan autonomous region of Gagauzia regard the lack of jobs and high prices and utility rates as their chief problems, as per the opinion poll carried out by the Intellect Group by order of the Panorama weekly of Chisinau.

 

Dr. Valentin Turcan said at the poll result presentation said that the population of Gagauzia stands strongly for friendship with Russia, for Gagauzia without poverty, for people’s welfare, economic growth and prosperity.

 

“Material problems are remaining priority ones. Lack of jobs is worrying 31.2% respondents, high prices – 30.3%, infrastructure problems – 22.5%, low salaries and wages – 22.4%, low pensions – 16.3%, problems with social insurance – 12.9%”, said the researcher.

 

According to poll, most of Gagauzia residents are contented with the autonomy’s present-day status within the Republic of Moldova.

 

“The current status is supported by 54% respondents. The autonomy’s status analogous to Transnistria’s is favored by 12% respondents. Gagauzia’s accession to a foreign state is welcomed by 11% residents, and 14% residents would like Gagauzia to be an independent state. Thus, a quarter of the population is discontented with Gagauzia’s relationship with Chisinau”, said Turcan.

 

50.6% respondents stand for broadening financial and economic plenary powers for the sake of protecting Gagauzia’s interests, 26.9% want Gagauzia to have a certain quota of seats in the Moldovan Parliament, and 26.8% stand for Gagauzia’s independence in determining standards in the education sphere.