​SHEVCHUK’S OPPONENTS WIN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN TRANSNISTRIA

The elections to the Transnistrian supreme soviet [parliament] and to local soviets of all levels in the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic have been recognized as valid: the electoral barrier of 25% was overcome at all electoral constituencies already by 3pm on Sunday. And by the closure of polling stations at 8 o’clock at night the voter turnout exceeded 47%.

According to the region’s central election commission, foreign observers, mostly from Russia, marked a high level of election organization, and called the region’s electoral legislation as a mature one.

Sergey Gavrilov, Chairman of the Russian State Duma [parliament] Standing Committee for Property Issues and the coordinator of the inter-faction group for interaction with Transnistria, stated that the Transnistrian republic has again proved its sovereignty, the maturity of its power organs, and the efficiency of its electoral system.

Kazbek Taisayev – Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) and First Deputy Chairperson of the Duma Standing Committee for CIS Affairs and Ties with Compatriots, stated that the election was held in a peaceful and orderly way, and no serious problems were noticed.

According to yet unofficial data, opponents to incumbent Transnistrian president Yevgeny Shevchuk have won elections in 31-of-43 electoral constituencies. These are the representatives of the Obnovleniye [Renovation] Republican Party and of the ‘almighty’ Sheriff Holding. In particular, these are Sheriff Director Dmitrii Ogirchuk, First Deputy Director Porfirii Shkilniuk, Sheriff security chief Vadim Krasnoselskii, the son of Sheriff founder Yevgeny Gushan, Sheriff senior executive Sergei Hankevitch, as well as the heads of enterprises and organizations under Sheriff’s control – AgroPromBank President Vladislav Tidva, Director of the KVINT wine, brandy and vodka corporation of Tiraspol Oleg Bayev, Tirotext Director Ian Mezhinskii, Tirotex-Energo director Vadim Levitskii.

These are exactly those very ‘oligarchs’ whom Yevgeny Shevchuk was trying so hard not to let into power. However, the election campaign of his opponents, based on criticism of the Transnistrian administration, in particular repayment of salaries and pensions only partially, appeared to be closer to the Transnistrians’ hearts and minds.

Local experts believe that the election results are symbolizing a moral defeat of president Shevchuk, who took a very active part in the election campaign, holding numerous meetings with voters across the region. Besides this, in the run-up to the elections the Tiraspol authorities organized an unprecedented pressing on Sheriff: unfolded an intensive blackening campaign, started two criminal proceedings on charges of withdrawing millions from Transnistria, etc.

In a year, Transnistria will hold a presidential election, and it will be extremely hard for Yevgeny Shevchuk to win it with an uncontrolled parliament.