(RU) Реализация компетенций Гагауз Ери: вызовы и перспективы
One of the fundamental principles of a fully-fledged functioning autonomy in a state is
the implementation of powers provided by law to regional self-government bodies. The
incomplete nature of powers’ devolution and of powers’ specification, as well as the lack of
solid guarantees are the main reasons that have caused the weakening of the special status in
the territorial division, and tensions between central authorities and the authorities in the
autonomous unit. Since the establishment of its special legal status Gagauzia has been
demonstrating a serious problem related to the implementation of its powers (competences).
The core of this problem has been manifested in inconsistences in legal frameworks regarding
their [competences’] implementation. The lack of mechanisms ensuring a permanent dialogue
with the central authorities has made matters worse and it would not allow solving the existing
problems of the autonomy’s functioning.
This paper introduces an analysis of how the authorities of Gagauzia have been
implementing competences stipulated under the Constitution and other legal acts of the
Republic of Moldova. The research examines feasible mechanisms of power sharing between
the authorities of Gagauzia and the central authorities. The research aims to study the process
of implementing competences by the authorities of Gagauzia as provided by the law since the
autonomy’s establishment, as well as to determine the level, at which they had been
implemented in the light of reforming the laws of the Republic of Moldova.
The paper has the following objectives: to review competences of the autonomousterritorial
unit as stipulated by the law; to analyse the degree of coherence between the
competences specified in the Constitution and in the laws of the Republic of Moldova; to
identify mechanisms, practices and problems related to the implementation of Gagauzia’s
competences; to explore financial guarantees in the implementation of Gagauzia’s status; to
analyse the institutional capacity of the autonomy for its economic development.
The paper includes an introduction, three parts, recommendations and annexes. As it
follows from the research there are competences that can be divided into three categories:
devolved competences implemented by Gagauzia; non-devolved competences managed by the
autonomy and non-devolved competences remaining within the jurisdiction of the central
public authorities of the Republic of Moldova. The analysis of financial guarantees of the
autonomy’s existence and of its economic development helped identify weaknesses in its legal
and institutional frameworks.
Key words: autonomy, division of powers, mechanisms, Republic of Moldova, autonomous
territorial unit of Gagauzia (Gagauz Yeri), central authorities, second-level local public
authorities, regional self-government bodies of Gagauzia.