Peter Pasat: “The year was difficult” …

The head of Obnovlenie fraction in the Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, our constant author Peter Pasat summed up the legislative year in the republic, told about the work of fraction and problems which it faces.

– How do you estimate the activity of the members of Obnovlenie fraction last year?

– Despite the hard year, I consider that deputies of our fraction fulfilled effectively and responsibly, it isn't a shame to us with the made decisions. In 2012 the deputies of fraction introduced 162 bills, the most part of which had social and economic character. The special attention was paid to the bills directed on liberalization of activity of individual entrepreneurs, subjects of small and medium business, agrarian and industrial complex support.

20 deputies are in the structure of deputy fraction “Obnovlenie”, who work in 8 committees and 2 constant commissions of parliament. Members of our fraction head four committees and one commission.

– What is the relationship with colleagues in the parliament, who are not being the members of Obnovlenie fraction?

– Our opponents didn't express desire to form other deputy fraction. They prefer to work individually, thus constantly accuse us that we frequently, especially on fundamental questions, vote in unity. But this is their right, however, as well as ours. Therefore, unfortunately, simply there is nothing to compare the work of our fraction.

I will remind that according to the law “About Regulations of the Supreme Council of PMR” according to the fraction decision our representatives can be a part of those inter-fractional groups, the purpose and tasks of which don't contradict the purposes and tasks of Obnovlenie fraction and registered in legislature legally. While other deputy associations aren't registered in our parliament.

– How is it possible to characterize the level of interaction of the parliamentary majority with the president of the republic and the government?

– In spite of the fact that our fraction supported Peter Stepanov's nomination for a position of the prime minister unanimously, we, unfortunately, weren’t succeeded to adjust the constructive work with the government. Striking examples of it are the discussion of a package of governmental tax bills, the draft of the forecast of social and economic development of PMR in 2013, the bill “About the Republican Budget in 2013”.

Desire absence of the government to work with fraction (the parliamentary majority) at a stage of so-called zero readings shows that its representatives don't wish to cooperate with us properly, a priori including their offers only as the true. It is a way in anywhere, and in this year we should change radically the principles of our interaction for the successful solution of the numerous problems facing the republic.

Unfortunately, we have the similar relationship with the president. He doesn't wish to carry on dialogue with deputy fraction “Obnovlenie”. In the last year there was a vicious practice when often the provisions of drafts of the laws rejected by the Supreme Council, become effective the bylaws of the head of state contradicting the current legislation. It doesn't bring benefit to common issue and the situation reminds all Krylov's known fable “The Swan, the Pike, and the Crab”.

In a counterbalance to it recently, especially during financial and economic crisis, on the former Soviet Union the strengthening of parliamentary control in all directions is observed: expenditure of budgetary funds, observance of human rights, fulfilment of laws. Our fraction also firmly costs on these positions.

Unfortunately, last year we repeatedly observed the attempts to narrow the control powers of the Supreme Council, to turn parliament into such machine for stamping of laws. It is unacceptable! In this year we intend to strengthen work in the direction of expansion of parliamentary control with all lawful methods.

– Are you happy how the activity of deputies of Obnovlenie fraction in mass media is reported?

– Information maintenance of the activity of the parliament and each deputy is the most important component of the overall information picture in any country of the world. Unfortunately, in our republic there was other situation.

There was a reorganization of the state mass media in the summer. The president founded GU “Pridnestrovian State Broadcasting Company” which stopped placing on air the information of the press service of the Supreme Council on a constant basis as it was earlier. Correspondents of the 1st Pridnestrovian TV channel are afraid to take and place on the channel the comments and opinions of the deputies, opposite positions of the president and the government. Especially it concerns the deputies of our fraction. Often the similar occurs in print media.

It is impossible to be reconciled with it. It is the violation of a speech freedom. Look how the Russian state mass media reports the activity of all deputy fractions of the State Duma. The official position of fractions according to the decisions made by parliament is stated without notes and comments. We intend to strengthen the work on distribution of truthful information on activity of fraction, legislature as a whole, its expeditious knowing by the citizens of the republic.

– What activities of fraction become the major in 2013?

– The main activities of our fraction will result from theses which were proclaimed repeatedly by the chairman of RPP “Obnovlenie”, the chairman of the Supreme Council Mikhail Burla. It is, first of all, the creation of conditions for development of economy of PMR at legislative level, attraction both foreign and internal investors, increase of welfare of our citizens, social security of the inhabitants.

In this year the fraction of the parliamentary majority, first of all, will insist on observance of the fundamental principle of supremacy of law. We intend to achieve the adoption of law “About the republican budget in 2013”. A lot of work is necessary by determination of expediency of transition from next year on other tax system and, as a result, to adoption of the Tax code.

I hope that my colleagues in the fraction, all deputy corps of the Supreme Council will solve the essential and actual tasks in the current year. We will do everything possible, all depending from us to facilitate the life of our voters.