Politics in Moldova

Moldova is a sovereign, independent, unitary and indivisible republic. Its Constitution provides the framework for public authority and protects the rule of law. Parliament adopts laws, the President represents the state and exercises constitutional powers, the Government manages public administration, and courts resolve legal disputes. Constitutional oversight bodies examine whether public action and legislation comply with the Constitution. Local governments handle responsibilities at local level, while public services, budgets, oversight and security institutions support the functioning of the state. Elections provide the main democratic link between citizens and public institutions. Voters choose Parliament, the President and local authorities. In Gagauzia, elections also concern the Bashkan and the People’s Assembly. The Central Electoral Commission, called Comisia Electorală Centrală or CEC, maintains voter registration and organizes national elections. District councils and polling-station bureaus manage local election procedures, voting and counting. Political participation is shaped by the election concerned. Citizens aged 18 or older may vote if they hold Moldovan citizenship and have no court-ordered protective restriction. Voting is personal and secret, and a voter may vote only at one polling station and cast one ballot for each election. Parliamentary, presidential and local elections differ in thresholds, residence conditions, runoff rules and procedures for reviewing results. Understanding Moldova’s politics therefore requires looking at both the institutions that exercise public power and the electoral rules that determine how representatives receive their mandates.