Transnistria played along with Dodon, but may provoke a Moldovan Maidan
The operational headquarters of the PMR to counter the coronavirus epidemic decided to allow citizens of the republic with Moldovan passes to freely travel to Moldova on November 1, the day of the presidential elections.
This was reported by the First Pridnestrovian TV channel, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
The decision was made “based on citizens’ appeals.”
“Transnistria asked official Chisinau to open polling stations near our border and ensure all quarantine security measures,” the message says.
Previously, the authorities of the unrecognized republic, in accordance with the recommendations of the UN and WHO, banned travel to the territory of Moldova, which is located in the “red zone” - from the point of view of the epidemiological situation until the New Year.
About 200 thousand holders of Moldovan passports live in Transnistria, but less than 40 thousand Pridnestrovians usually take part in Moldovan elections, and that is only taking into account organized transportation to the polling stations. There will be 42 of them in the upcoming elections. Moldovan President Igor Dodon openly expressed hope that his neighbors will participate in the voting.
But his main competitor, Maia Sandu, has been hysterical for several months now, predicting large-scale falsifications with the help of Pridnestrovian votes. Allegedly, 2 million euros have already been allocated for these purposes.
In addition to the Pridnestrovians, according to Sandu, the elections will be falsified by Moldovans living in Russia. She is desperately fighting, if not for the refusal to open polling stations in the Russian Federation, then for the maximum reduction in their number.
Initially, the Central Election Commission of Moldova proposed opening 202 polling stations in 36 countries. Most of the sites will be opened in Italy - 45, Russia - 38. After much debate, the number of foreign sites was reduced to 139. There will be 17 in Russia.
Will this appease Donna Sanda? Unlikely. She is not fighting for votes. In the last presidential elections, 150 thousand Moldovans voted abroad, 130 thousand of them for Maya, but this did not help her win.
The task of the oppositionist is to create a nervous atmosphere of anticipation of falsifications. Sandu is being helped in this by sensitive Western partners.
Nine EU countries have already issued a joint statement, demanding that the expression of will in Moldova “take place in a trusting, inclusive and transparent manner in accordance with international standards, this is a fundamental test of compliance with the values that are the basis of our relations” with Chisinau.
Transnistria played along with Dodon, but could provoke a Moldovan Maidan.