Transdniestria: the people wait for changes to the best

The presidential elections have passed in Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, which have ended with sensation – the long-term head of the republic Igor Smirnov has left the struggle already in the first round. Evgeny Shevchuk became the new president of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

The deputy of Supreme body of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, the committee-man on foreign policy and international contacts, the member of main board of the Republican Party “Obnovlenie” Peter Pasat tells about how the elections took place and today's situation in Transdniestria.

- There are 426 thousand voters in our republic. In order that the elections have been recognized valid, it is necessary that not less than 50 percent of voters have come to the polling stations. We had the fears concerning the attendance, as we have, firstly, the high migration, and, secondly, the tiredness of people was felt. Many people did not believe that enough quantity of voters will come to the elections.

But another factor has worked: actually it was the first in the history really alternative elections in PMR. 6 candidates have been registered, but the basic struggle was conducted between three candidates: the long-term permanent president of the republic Igor Smirnov, the chairman of parliament Anatoly Kaminsky and his predecessor on this post Evgeny Shevchuk.

The whole commands of the political strategists worked who, unfortunately, have overstepped both the rules and the bounds of decency. Anatoly Kaminsky was the main target of “black technologies”.

As to the attendance, 58,9 % of voters have voted in the first round and 51,7 %. in the second round. Thus, the elections have passed according to the elective legislation – the ostensible illegitimacy is out of question.

- For many people the main output of the elections was the defeat of the president of PMR Igor Smirnov. Seemingly, he has been convinced of the victory …

- Yes, he believed that he will be supported by not less than 60 % of voters in the first round. Therefore the result in the first round became for Smirnov and his command the present shock. An absence of the incumbent president in the second round was the main sensation of the elections in Transdniestria.

Why it has occurred? In my opinion, the primary factor is the population disbelief in effective authority, the difficult situation in economy, absence of workplaces and high labor migration. All the same the standard of living isn't so high and the prices are quite Moscow … All that affected the relation of voters to Igor Smirnov – many people simply were tired of him.

- And how he has acted before the second round of voting: took a neutrality or has supported someone from candidates?

- Igor Smirnov, from my point of view, has agreed with Evgeny Shevchuk and it has affected at once the further election campaign. There was a weight of leaflets of the doubtful maintenance, the frank lie was published in relation to the chairman of the parliament, all administrative resource was switched in favor of E.Shevchuk.

- The voting results in the second round have surprised even the experts: Evgeny Shevchuk has won a victory behind a clear advantage. What can you say about the new president of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic?

- The results of voting, as well as in the first round, have appeared very unexpected. Shevchuk got 73,9 % and Kaminsky – 19,7 %. Shevchuk is not the beginner in the politician, he is known in the republic, after all he was the chairman of parliament until the recent time. He is the young man enough – 43 years old. He has 5 diplomas of higher education, very efficient and vigorous politician.

In my opinion, he is a politician-single according to the type. He doesn't have the command and, therefore, now he has not simple task – to generate it. The appointments to the state posts have already begun. Shevchuk has underlined in the pre-election performances, as well as all other candidates, the necessity of the close union with Russia, told about the fight against corruption and necessity of monopolism eradication for all spheres.

- The appearance of the prime minister in republic is his initiative?

- No, here is another matter. Last year the changes and additions in Constitution of PMR about reforming of state governing bodies have been accepted in the republic. The introduction of institute of the government led by the prime minister also has been approved on it. Earlier the Cabinet of PMR was headed by the president Igor Smirnov. Since January, 1 the changes have taken effect and we had a necessity for the statement of the prime minister for the further formation of the Government. The new president of the republic has offered his nominee according to new Constitution.

- What are the relations between the recent contenders in struggle for a presidential post: Evgeny Shevchuk and Anatoly Kaminsky?

- They are familiar for a long time, worked in Rybnitsa city. They had friendly relation till 2009 when Evgeny Shevchuk has abdicated the power of the chairman of parliament. The relations have strongly changed during the election campaign.

But elections are the elections, but the life goes on. After a trip of the new president to Moscow, he has gone on contact to Anatoly Kaminsky. The supreme leaders have discussed the teamwork details for the benefit of Transdniestria people. In my opinion, there is a full understanding that it is possible to improve a situation only with joint efforts. It is obvious that this work will be under construction in a new fashion, not in that way as it was in Smirnov’s time. Now the working meetings are passing which are very important at the first stage.

- How do the deputies of parliament get ready; they have been involved in struggle on elections in full?

- I represent the fraction “Obnovlenie”. It was created by the deputies elected in one-mandatory districts. The deputies got ready for the creative work – now it is not the time to remember pre-election passions. It is necessary to realize all those promises which have been given to the voters. Our party “Obnovlenie” has a program in this respect, the strategy of development of “Transdniestria-2025” is developed – the republic didn’t have such project yet. The strategy is published and we have transferred all necessary documents to the prime minister and are ready for cooperation.

People wait for the changes. They hope that the changes in political sphere will affect well the economic sphere. And the deputies of parliament together with enforcement authorities are obliged to correspond to these expectations.

- Will be any changes in a foreign policy of Transdniestria? What will be the relations with Russia and Moldova?

- In 2006 the referendum has passed in Transdniestria on which the people have expressed unequivocally! Firstly, we are for independence of Transdniestria and all-round rapprochement with Russia. Secondly, we are ready to be a part of the Russian state if there will be its will.

All presidential candidates were unified on elections: Russia is our geostrategic choice. And the foreign policy of PMR should be under construction of such approach. As for Moldova which doesn't recognize us, Evgeny Shevchuk has declared that it is necessary to stir up the activity of working groups on economic problems. It would be favourable both to Transdniestria and Moldova. We are ready to have good-neighbourly relations with Moldova, but our independence can't be an auction subject – Kishinev should know it!