VIDEO | The problem is not Shor, the problem is Moscow's control". Mihail Sirkeli warns that Russia could maintain its influence over Gagauzia through electoral networks and front candidates

The elections for the position of Bashkan and the People's Assembly of Gagauzia, scheduled for November 15, risk reproducing the influence mechanisms used in the 2023 elections, even if they are being organized, for the first time, based on the National Electoral Code. Journalist Mihail Sirkeli claims that the structures built by Ilan Shor in autonomy have not disappeared, but would continue to function for the benefit of the Kremlin. In the podcast, moderated by journalist Nicolae Chicu, he criticizes the lack of effective tools to counter foreign interference and warns that a competition with several candidates could hide, in reality, the concentration of Moscow's resources around a single favorite.

Sirkeli states that Shor's disappearance from the spotlight does not mean the disappearance of his political mechanisms.

"Things are not going so well and, from my point of view, the Central Election Commission could act more decisively. Because what we are observing is Shor's whole gang. Now she is registered as a candidate for the position of deputy in the People's Assembly and we clearly see that Moscow has its candidate, but even when we talk about Shor, we still have to understand that the final beneficiary of the crap Shor did in Gagauzia is Moscow and the Kremlin. And now the Kremlin... even if Shor does not appear much in the information space, Moscow is there anyway. All the schemes and mechanisms that Shor invented and strengthened in Gagauzia, now work in favor of Moscow"Sirkeli explained.

In his opinion, the authorities have focused on combating electoral corruption, but have not developed sufficient mechanisms against the political influence exerted by Russia.

"In the last elections, in order to protect democracy, a mechanism was implemented, based on collaboration with Shor, or membership in the Shor criminal group. So if you are somehow connected to Shor... The "Sansa" Party is connected to Shor, we are removing the "Sansa" Party from the electoral race. But the problem is not with Shor. The problem is with Moscow's influence and Moscow's control.", the journalist pointed out.

Nicolae Chicu: "So, Fyodor Gagauz is most likely Russia's candidate in this election. But, in fact, they have several, they're not limited to just one, in case one is eliminated, right?"

Mihail Sirkeli: "No, I think that all the candidates who are in the electoral race are, anyway, loyal to Moscow. Probably except for Anastasov. Probably. But the problem is that in Gagauzia you not only have to prove that you are with Russia, but Russia has to somehow send a signal that you are. And in the case of Gagauz, this happened. How was it demonstrated? Dodon went to Moscow and immediately after Moscow he came to Comrat to launch the electoral campaign."

The journalist believes that Moscow's support is the decisive factor for the socialists' electoral chances in autonomy.

"But the Socialist Party doesn't have a chance either. Because if Moscow now withdraws its support for the Socialist Party, the Socialist Party will receive 0 or so there in Gagauzia. So only those who have Moscow's support have a real chance. This support is sent through different signals and through different channels. Now, here he went to Moscow, met with someone there, it's our party. Or on television they show you a report where the good party is presented. This is a signal that, here, this is our party", Sirkeli explained.

Nicolae Chicu, journalist: "Do you think the Russians will be able to buy voters this time? Like what happened last time with this Guțul, who went from a no-name to a Bashcană, practically no one knew her."

Mihail Sirkeli: "I am not aware of the operations, but I do not exclude that this option also exists. Probably less than last time. Because what happened with Guțul? The purchase was by inflating this network of supporters of Evghenia Guțul, who were agitating, who were walking the streets and promoting Evghenia Guțul, they inflated this network. They included hundreds and thousands of people there and paid them hard money. This is how the recruitment into Shor's UTA ​​Gagauzia network began. And further, on election day, they already went to buying votes."