The Moldovan lawmakers say the order whereby the Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov banned Transnistria from switching to winter time is an electoral trick. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Liberal-Democrat MP Valeriu Strelet said such a decision is a new caprice of Igor Smirnov. “It is aimed at highlighting again that the breakaway republic has its own rules of the game. The Russians will also not switch to winter time. Thus, they repeat what the Russians do,” he stated. Liberal MP Valeriu Munteanu has told Info-Prim Neo that the secessionist republic is on the brink of elections and such a move forms part of the electoral scenarios of the self-styled candidate for the presidency of the so-called Moldovan Transnistrian Republic. “After the elections are over, the reason will prevail over emotions and this decision will be reconsidered,” said the lawmaker. Communist lawmaker Sergiu Sarbu said it is not worth commenting on the actions taken by the unrecognized and unconstitutional Transnistrian authorities. “We do not recognize the given authorities and their decision not to switch to winter time as it is clear that the area occupied by Moldova is inalienable even if it is not fully controlled by the constitutional authorities. Officially, Transnistria forms part of Moldova and the time should be the same all over Moldova’s territory,” he stated. Moldova switches to winter time on the last Sunday of October. There will be a difference of one hour between the right and the left banks of the Nistru River after that date.