They raise their voice: Transnistria is entering a big political season
Parliamentary elections were held in Transnistria, and a new Supreme Council was formed in early December. The main episode of the election campaign was a rather low turnout — only 26% of voters came to the polling stations. Experts say that the population of the republic is not concerned about political battles, but about economic difficulties and the energy crisis. Izvestia investigated the situation.
Rain against turnout
Elections to the local parliament, the Supreme Council, were held in Transnistria on November 30. The territory of the republic was divided into 33 majoritarian districts, each electing one deputy. Interestingly, there was practically no competition: only one candidate ran in 21 districts, and two candidates each stood in 12 districts.
At the stage of preparation of the electoral procedure, the Pridnestrovian special service of the Ministry of State Security stated that the Moldovan authorities were working to disrupt the vote. It was alleged that members of the election commissions received phone calls with threats and blackmail. The elections themselves, however, were peaceful. All the deputies who were re-nominated won, the current parliamentarians did not participate in 11 districts, so newcomers received mandates there.
The main issue of the voting day was the low turnout. The fact is that only 26% of voters came to the polling stations. For comparison, in the last parliamentary elections, which were held in 2020 against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, the figure was 27.7%, in 2015 — 48%. The record high was in 2006, when a referendum on joining Russia was held in the republic, when almost 80% of citizens came to the polling stations.
The head of the Central Election Commission of Pridnestrovie, Stanislav Kasap, explained the low turnout by bad weather: on November 30, it rained all day in the republic. He also added that currently there are no conflict situations and a split in society in the PMR, therefore, voter activity is low. Outside observers say that the residents of Transnistria are more concerned about economic difficulties and the energy crisis, rather than political battles.
It is important that the current campaign has become a prologue to the presidential elections, which will be held next December. The current head of the republic, Vadim Krasnoselsky, will no longer be able to run because he is in power for the second consecutive term. Traditionally, in Pridnestrovie, the Speaker of the Supreme Council has a good chance of taking the top post. However, in the current convocation, 32-year-old Tatiana Zalevskaya has become the chairman of the parliament, which will be quite difficult for her to earn enough political authority in a year, so the intrigue in this matter remains.
Winter is coming
The socio-economic situation in Transnistria remains difficult, and one of the problems is the energy crisis, which Tiraspol has been struggling with throughout the year. The difficulties began in January, when the PMR stopped receiving Russian gas pumped through Ukraine. As a result, last winter the republic lived for a whole month without heating and hot water, and electricity and light appeared only sporadically.
President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Vadim Krasnoselsky at a polling station during early voting in the elections of deputies at the House of Soviets in Tiraspol
All this led to a very difficult situation, when industrial enterprises stood down, most schools and kindergartens were closed. The Transnistrian leadership was then frantically looking for a way out of the situation. As a result, a complex scheme was agreed upon: Russia transfers money to the accounts of companies from the UAE, who pay to the Hungarian MET operator, which, through the mediation of Moldovagaz, supplies fuel to end users in the PMR.
After that, the situation improved markedly, and the benefits of civilization appeared in houses and apartments. At the same time, interruptions periodically occurred in the future. So, in October, a resource-saving regime was introduced in Tiraspol again, hot water was supplied on schedule, and all gas stations in the republic were closed. Later, Moldovagaz reported that the disputed issues had been resolved, so supplies were resuming again.
Now, however, a new winter is on the threshold, and therefore the mood in the PMR is alarming. The Moldovan authorities constantly hint that the republic should have refused Russia's help, some experts believe that new supply disruptions may occur with the onset of cold weather. According to a number of reports, gas reserves in Transnistria will last for two weeks, while the authorities promise to equip 34 heating points, that is, the official Tiraspol does not exclude the resumption of difficulties.
The second big problem is economic difficulties. In January – October of this year, Pridnestrovie's foreign trade turnover fell by 30% compared to the same period last year. Exports fell by 42%, while imports decreased by 25%. Among the reasons are various customs restrictions imposed by the Moldovan side, as well as the same interruptions in fuel supplies.
Finally, the third problem is political pressure and the threat of escalation from Moldova. President Maia Sandu constantly demands the withdrawal of Russian troops and peacekeepers from the PMR. At the end of November, just a few days before the elections to the Supreme Council of the PMR, she signed a decree that stripped Moldovan citizenship of those serving in the Operational Group of Russian Troops (OGRV).
Military equipment at a peacekeeping post on the bridge over the Dniester River
Tiraspol also notes that the 5+2 negotiation format has not actually been functioning since 2019. Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Valery Kiveri announced in early December that Chisinau, together with the United States and the EU, was preparing a new negotiating format and a plan for reintegration. At the same time, the official did not disclose details, because the information could allegedly be "very sensitive." At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pridnestrovie stated that the revival of existing sites would be much more useful for a settlement.
What the experts say
Sergei Chizhov, a deputy of the Russian State Duma from the United Russia party, emphasizes that the elections in Transnistria were held openly and honestly.
— All information about the candidates was provided in full. During the elections, the work of the precinct election commissions was organized at a high professional level. Along with public and international observers, we note that the voting was free, and the results fully reflect the will of the citizens," he says.
The interlocutor also notes provocations and attempts by the collective West to disrupt the elections.
"Moldova strengthened the blockade and restrictive measures before the vote, but the Pridnestrovians demonstrated consolidation, responsibility and a desire to maximize the development of comprehensive ties with Russia," the parliamentarian says.
Igor Shornikov, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Pridnestrovie, associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of Russia, emphasizes that the elections in Pridnestrovie were held calmly.
— The turnout is about the same as it was in 2020, that is, there is no reason to talk about any decrease in people's confidence in the government and republican institutions. The turnout rate is relatively low, but this is explained simply. The fact is that there are many more people on the electoral rolls than actually live in the republic. Many have gone to work outside the PMR, while Tiraspol does not have the opportunity to organize a foreign vote," he explains.
The expert also notes that the threat of a renewed energy crisis remains in Transnistria.
— Last winter, with the help of Russia, a temporary gas supply scheme was established, which now seems to have become permanent. It is important that the existing agreements are reconfirmed every month, and the Moldovan authorities are also involved in them. In other words, Chisinau has received another lever of pressure. It cannot be ruled out that Maya Sandu's team will take advantage of the opportunity to increase pressure at some point. Tiraspol understands this threat and is trying to find alternative energy sources, but this is a difficult and lengthy process," he explains.
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