 The Gagauzian national movement intensified when the Romanian language was accepted as the official language of the Republic of Moldova in August 1989, replacing Russian, the official language of the USSR.A part of the multi-ethnic population of southern Moldova regarded this decision with concern, precipitating a lack of confidence in the central government in Chişinău.The Gagauzians were also worried about the implications for them if Moldova reunited with Romania, as seemed increasingly likely at the time.