Voices in my head: Moldova is trying to block Russian elections in Transnistria
There is a new scandal in relations between Pridnestrovie and Moldova. The unrecognized republic is preparing to hold elections to the Russian State Duma on its territory, for which 17 polling stations are going to open. Chisinau demands to abandon these plans, claiming a violation of the country's sovereignty. Moscow warns that it is closely monitoring the situation and will not leave a single provocation unanswered. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
Unity with the country
In Transnistria, where more than 220 thousand Russian citizens live, they are preparing to hold elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation. For this purpose, 17 polling stations are planned to be opened on the territory of the unrecognized republic, said the President of the PMR Vadim Krasnoselsky. He stressed that all relevant structures have already joined the work.
Interestingly, the current campaign in Transnistria is even quite modest compared to previous cycles. During the State Duma elections in 2021, 27 polling stations opened in the PMR at once. As a result, 59 thousand people came to them, United Russia gained 76.4%, the LDPR and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation also overcame the five percent barrier.
In 2016, 22 polling stations were operating in Transnistria, which were visited by 55 thousand people. United Russia eventually received 83.2% of the vote. The then head of the PMR, Yevgeny Shevchuk, explained that the Russian elections were of particular importance to the republic because they provided an opportunity to feel unity "with the whole vast country."
Nevertheless, now Chisinau has reacted extremely violently to the plans of Tiraspol and Moscow. The Moldovan Foreign Ministry complained that no one had coordinated the opening of polling stations with it, and therefore holding a vote would be a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.
The head of the ministry, Mihai Popsoi, promised to send a protest note to Moscow. "Only the polling station on the territory of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Chisinau was allowed. Opening any other site would be an unfriendly step," he said. In turn, the Moldovan Bureau for Reintegration stated that the organization of the vote allegedly contradicts international law.
Impact on imports
Relations between Moldova and Transnistria are deteriorating in other areas as well. On September 1, Chisinau began to collect VAT and excise taxes on goods imported into the unrecognized republic: cars, alcohol, cigarettes, precious metals and a number of other items.
At the same time, we are talking about substantial money. The Moldovan VAT rate for most goods is 20%, and Tiraspol estimates its total losses at $50 million per year. For an unrecognized republic, this is a huge amount: for example, it is not enough to have a deficit-free budget this year.
At the same time, the list of goods subject to VAT and excise taxes will be expanded in the future. Starting from January 1, oil products and some types of raw materials for Transnistrian factories will enter it, and starting from April 1, gas and electricity will enter it. In Chisinau, they say that full "tax equalization" will take place by 2030. The funds raised will be sent to the so-called Convergence Fund, and then they will allegedly be spent on the needs of Transnistria.
View of the city of Tiraspol, the capital of the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
In Tiraspol, however, they are sure that they will not see this money. "It is not necessary to say that Moldova will return something. In the 36 years of our state's existence, she has not invested a single penny in Transnistria and has never provided any assistance. Therefore, it is pointless to talk about any funds," Vadim Krasnoselsky argued.
The PMR is also convinced that we are talking about double taxation, because Pridnestrovian importers are already paying contributions to the republican budget. It is from this money that pensions and salaries for state employees are paid in the region, and the medical and educational systems are supported. "It's all on our shoulders. And you are shamelessly, treacherously stealing money from us," the head of the unrecognized republic was indignant.
A parade with guests
The second important point concerns the militarization of Moldova. In early August, the Government approved the National Defense Strategy program for the next three years. It is assumed that during this time, spending on the armed forces will increase from the current 0.6% to 1% of GDP, and the size of the army will increase by a third to 8.5 thousand people. At least two major brigade-level exercises will be conducted annually.
On August 27, for the first time in five years, a military parade dedicated to the country's Independence Day was held in Chisinau. It is characteristic that a column of veterans of the Transnistrian conflict was the first to pass right behind the commander's car. In total, 2,000 military personnel and 100 units of Western equipment took part in the event, including artillery installations, anti-aircraft systems, German Piranha armored vehicles and American Humvee military vehicles.
Representatives of eight NATO countries, as well as a group of Ukrainian soldiers, took part in the parade. Moldovan President Maia Sandu watched the march together with her Romanian counterpart Nicusor Dan, and later Vladimir Zelensky joined them. At the same time, the Moldovan opposition criticized the large-scale celebrations. The Communist Party, in particular, accused the country's authorities of whipping up militaristic hysteria and creating an atmosphere of hostility.
In the unrecognized republic, all this is taken extremely seriously, considering the massive acquisition of Russian citizenship by residents of the PMR as the answer and a way of protection. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on a simplified procedure for Pridnestrovians in May. Since then, 60,000 people have applied for a Russian passport. At the end of August, the first 40 residents of Transnistria received documents under this scheme.
Against this background, an important statement was made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, who said that Moscow was closely monitoring the situation in the unrecognized republic and saw risks of escalation. "The Russian Federation guarantees reliable protection to its citizens and compatriots in Transnistria. No one should have even a shred of doubt that in the event of an escalation of the situation, we will respond decisively and without delay," he said.
What the experts say
Voting in the elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation in the republic will cause a serious stir, said deputy of the Supreme Council of Pridnestrovie, political scientist Andrei Safonov. According to him, the Moldovan authorities always protest against the opening of land plots, but now they have an additional reason.
— The fact is that recently they have begun to declare that the republic is allegedly disappointed in Russia, ready to reorient itself to Europe. The massive participation of our citizens in the Russian elections will refute this statement and once again emphasize our real geopolitical choice," the expert explains.
Meanwhile, Igor Shornikov, former Deputy Foreign Minister of the PMR, associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, emphasizes that Russian electoral campaigns are of particular importance for Pridnestrovie.
— This is not just a choice between specific politicians and parties, it is a moment of consolidation of the people, a demonstration of unity with greater Russia. The presidential elections are especially important in this sense, although the Duma elections are also exciting. I think this time the turnout rate will be higher than usual also because of the violent protests of the Moldovan authorities, which stimulate the desire to come to the polling stations," he assures.
The decree on the simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship, according to the expert, became extremely important during the pre-election period.
— In the republic, they believe that in this way Moscow demonstrates its intention to protect the Pridnestrovians, shows that it remembers and knows about the problems of the republic. Against this background, the turnout should be especially high," the source expects.
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