Newly-elected Gagauz governor sworn in office

Chisinau, 15 April /MOLDPRES/ - The newly-elected bashkan (governor) of the Territorial Administrative Unit (UTA) Gagauz-Yeri, Irina Vlah, was sworn in office today. The ceremony took place after the head of the Comrat Court of Appeal, Afanasi Curdov, had read the decision on approval to the office of governor of the autonomy following the 22 March elections.

The governor’s swearing-in ceremony was held in the centre of Comrat town, Gagauzia's administrative centre, for the first time ever. Attending the event were Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu, Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici, heads of more diplomatic missions accredited in Moldova, Metropolitan of Chisinau and All Moldova, Most Right Reverend Vladimir, other officials.

After the swearing in office, Irina Vlah gave a speech, assuring that she would be guided exclusively by the Moldovan Constitution and Law on special statute of UTA Gagauz-Yeri. „I will be the governor of all residents of the autonomy, without making any ethnic or party difference. I promise to be a guarantor of peace and stability in the region, with a prosperous and consolidated society,” Vlah said.

Irina Vlah clearly won the 22 March elections for governor office, getting 51.01 per cent of the votes. She is the first woman elected to this post and first governor elected in the first round of polls.

(Reporter L. Grubii, Editor L. Alcaza)