Transnistrian leader says Constitution can be modified only by referendum

The leader of the Transnistrian region Igor Smirnov says that a referendum is needed in order to modify the constitution. “We should strictly preserve the verticality of power. We must not change the form of government,” Smirnov said. The chairman of the Transnistrian Supreme Soviet Evgheni Shevchuk said that the proposed amendments are designed to remove the shortcomings identified in the bill. “The deputies and the executive power have time to reach a compromise over this,” Shevchuk said. The Transnistrian deputies on April 15 passed a bill to amend the constitution of the breakaway republic of Transnistria in first reading. Thirty-nine of the 40 MPs attending voted in favor of the bill. The bill aims to adjust the constitution with the Russian legislation. The proposed amendments ban the president, ministers and other executive officials from holding another paid job, carry out entrepreneurial activities or form part of a party of public organizations while in office. It also proposes liquidating the post of vice president of the republic and imposing ‘sedentariness’ restrictions on the candidates for the post of deputy on the Supreme Soviet (5 years) and of member of district and town councils (3 years). Political analysts say that Evgheni Shevchuk could obtain Russia’s support in removing Igor Smirnov from power.