Transnistria passes constitutional amendments

The Supreme Soviet, the legislative body of the unrecognized Transnistrian republic, adopted on Wednesday, June 29, a set of amendments to the region's constitution, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the region's official news agency Olvia Press, the most important amendments are those which introduce the post of prime minister together with the institution of a central executive, and a term limit on presidency. Prior to the amendments, the unrecognized republic's ministers were subordinated directly to the president. The main responsibility of the new executive will be to take care of the republic's economic situation. The amendment that sets the term limit on presidency to two does not have retroactive effect and thus will not impair incumbent Igor Smirnov from seeking one more term, after being in power for already more than two decades. Several provisions on the election of the president and lawmakers were removed from the constitution to be subsequently included in the region's election code. The amendments were passed with 31 votes, 3 abstained.