Maia Sandu: The Government will take measures in relation to Russia's decision to organize presidential elections in the Transnistrian region
The decision of the Russian Federation to organize presidential elections in the Transnistrian region, despite the protest of the Chisinau authorities, represents a new action by Moscow that defies the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, President Maia Sandu said today at a conference. According to the Head of State, the Government will later intervene with measures against this violation.
The Government of the Republic of Moldova will take measures in relation to the decision of the Russian Federation to organize presidential elections in the Transnistrian region, without the consent of the constitutional authorities, President Maia Sandu announced today at a conference. The head of state qualified this action of Moscow as one that defies the sovereignty and integrity of our country.
"It is an action that defies the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova on the part of the Russian Federation. A new action that shows disrespect towards Moldova and its citizens."
We remind that over 46 thousand citizens from the left of the Nistru took part in the presidential elections organized by the Russian Federation, by 27 thousand less than the Russian presidential election in 2018, according to the media in the region. Last week, the ambassador of the Russian Federation in Chisinau, Oleg Vasnetsov, said that about 250 thousand Russian citizens live on the left bank of the Nistru, who have the inalienable right to vote in the presidential elections in the Russian Federation.
WatchDog expert Andrei Curăraru stated for Radio Moldova that the real number of Russian passport holders in the Transnistrian region is approximately 50 thousand, and not 250 thousand, as they say in Moscow and Tiraspol. He also said that a voter turnout of 50,000 voters represents the maximum mobilization capacity for the elections in the Russian Federation, organized in the Transnistrian region.
Andrei Curăraru explained that the massive absenteeism to the left of the Nistru is also due to the fact that many citizens from the Transnistrian region, who hold dual citizenship, are in the Russian Federation.
"And if we take this figure of almost 50 thousand, and add about ten thousand of those who are abroad, it is the real number of Russian passport holders in the Transnistrian region, and by no means the 220-250 thousand. This is the mobilization capacity, including administrative, of the Transnistrian region, they have nowhere else to do".
We remind you that the Russian presidential elections took place between March 15-17. Yesterday, this election was organized in the Republic of Moldova. Russia illegally opened six polling stations in the Transnistrian region, and authorities in Chisinau sent a note of protest to the Russian ambassador in Chisinau and condemned Moscow's actions.
