Publication

This paper analyzes two referenda simultaneously held in the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Moldova in February 2014. The first referendum, asked voters to declare their support for either the country’s integration into the EU or the Moscow-led Customs Union (CU). The second, asked for their opinion on the draft law “On the deferred status of the Autonomous Region of Gagauzia”. The author explains that the results overwhelmingly favored the CU over the EU and then examines why this was the case by looking at key features of Gagauzia’s political system and context; Russia’s activity in the region; and the central government’s position on the referendum. He also evaluates the outlook for Gagauz separatism.