The Russian language is used for communication by many nationalities in Moldova, and this cannot be changed by amending the constitution, former head of Gagauzia and presidential candidate in the last election, Irina Vlah, stated in an interview with RIA Novosti. More than ten years ago, Russian was studied in Moldovan schools as a mandatory subject, but in 2014, it was designated as a foreign language at the initiative of the then Minister of Education, now the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu. Irina Vlah highlighted the wide use of Russian in Moldova as a language of interethnic communication, used by representatives of many ethnic groups living in the country. The politician stressed that this state of affairs cannot be altered by amendments or laws. Irina Vlah criticized politicians who raise the language issue for their own interests. In her view, this divides society, and the language problem will resolve itself if politicians leave this topic alone.