The campaign prior to the local elections in the Transnistrian region is characterized by the confrontation between the region’s administration and the business sector, considers the deputy head of the Institute for Political Research and Consultancy “Politicon”. In an interview for Radio Free Europe, the expert said the Transnistrian leader Yevgheny Shevchuk wants to apply Putin’s model and to replace the ruling businessmen with the police, IPN reports.
“The planned elections to the Supreme Soviet can be considered a kind of pre-stage of the elections to choose to the Transnistrian region’s leader next year. The Supreme Soviet of the Transnistrian region has particle powers that are yet limited. The goal is to bring into focus Yevgheny Shevchuk’s main counter-candidate in next year’s ‘presidential’ elections in Transnistria,” stated Ion Tabarta.
According to the expert, Shevchuk’s tenure is rather controversial and nothing spectacular has been witnessed during his four-year term in office. He rather became more loyal to Russia. “However, Igor Smirnov in particular situations could afford to state his own viewpoint in the relations with Russia. This refers especially to the contraband smuggled by particular circles from Moscow through the Transnistrian region, in particular firearms. Yevgheny Shevchuk asserted himself rather by particular arguments with Moldova,” stated the expert of “Politicon”.
Asked if the contacts between Tiraspol and Chisinau could be resumed after the elections to the Supreme Soviet, Ion Tabarta said the relationship between Chisinau and Tiraspol will depend a lot on the situation in Moldova or on the denouement of the political crisis faced by Moldova. It is evident that no major and radical changes will be witnesses in the Transnistrian conflict settlement process in the next few years or even half a year. The prospects of the Transnistrian region and of the relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol remain rather confused.
The so-called elections to the Supreme Soviet and the district soviets in Transnistria were set for November 29. The Central Election Commission of Moldova called on the international community not to delegate observers to monitor these events.
