 | LENIN'S LEGACY is alive and well in Pridnestrovie. But it means something very different than what you might think at first glance. [more] |  | | |  | SELF-PROCLAIMED: Like certain others, Pridnestrovie is merely a "selfproclaimed" state. This fact alone means that it is illegal, some say. [more] |
| ||||||
No arrests at Communist anti-Smirnov protest
A peaceful protest meeting was held in a public square in downtown Tiraspol on Saturday. The opposition rally was organized by local Communists but also featured a pro-unification Social Democratic leader as guest speaker. No arrests took place.
Communist protests against the PMR government went forward with no interference whatsoever in Tiraspol, the PMR capitalTIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - No one was arrested Saturday in downtown Tiraspol as opposition groups held a protest rally near the city's central Suvorov statue.
The opposition rally was organized by the Pridnestrovie Communist Party (PKP, by its Russian initials) with the support of the Social Democrats. Although they differ in policy - the Communists prefer independence, whereas the Social Democrats are in favor of unification with Moldova in a single state - the two parties are united in their hatred of PMR President Igor Smirnov and the current government of Pridnestrovie.
" - It is time to say out loud that we, the citizens of PMR, want to live adequately and we demand that the authorities respect and abide by the law," said Oleg Khorzhan, the leader of the Pridnestrovie Communist Party, a left wing opposition group.
- Indefinite endless protest actions
" - We are the citizens of this country, veterans and pensioners are our pride and glory. They fought for our independence, they gave their health and lives to our country and these people now get miserable pensions – just 400 PMR rubles a month (about $50 US, ed). This is a pittance. Authorities try to convince people that there is no money because of the blockade, but that is not true. They have the money," argued Khorzhan, playing to a crowd of mostly elderly and hardcore Communist pensioners.
During Saturday's opposition protest in Tiraspol, guest speaker Alex Radchenko from the Social Democratic party advocated unification with Moldova. This is a hard sell in the unrecognized country of 555,000 people: According to a recent poll, fewer than 5% of the local population support a common state with Moldova.
Slogans during the rally centered on criticism over falling living standards, with angry speeches against price increases, low pensions and wages, and privatizations of state-run companies.
Participants in the protest signed a resolution calling for “indefinite endless protest actions.” Until the government is unseated, the Communists will continue organizing protest meetings, pickets, and producing opposition leaflets and posters against the Igor Smirnov-led administration. With some 8 to 10% of the vote, Communistst have little backing among the population as a whole. Support for the Social Democratic party is minimal, due to the party's pro-unification position. In strongly independent minded Pridnestrovie, also known as Trans-Dniester or Transnistria, the desire for a joint union state with Moldova is shared by less than five percent of voters.
- No support from "Renewal"
Pridnestrovie's largest opposition party, Renewal, did not send representatives to the rally and does not support the protest actions of the Communists and the Social Democrats. Right of center, Renewal is pro-business and pro-reform, and in favor of the privatizations which the Communists demanded an end to during their most recent protest meeting.
According to PMR TV Republican First Channel, which covered the event, participation was estimated at between 100 to 200 protesters. PMR law enforcement was also on the scene with twenty officers watching the rally, but not taking any action of any kind. There were no arrests and the protest terminated peacefully by mid-afternoon when the participants disbanded for a late Saturday lunch.
The two smaller opposition parties have promised to continue their protest actions throughout the rest of the year.
" - Autumn will be hot," said Social Democratic leader Alexander Radchenko. "We are prepared for a long fight."
See also:
» Communists declare permanent opposition, demand reversal of reforms
» Communist protesters detained for 72 hrs; refuse to move rally
» Protest march unites local Communists against Smirnov's government
Protesters supporting two left-wing parties in Pridnestrovie demand the early resignation of President Igor Smirnov. They blame Smirnov for an increase in food prices and disagree with his government's economic policies. The demand came at a protest rally held in Tiraspol, which was billed as the largest opposition rally in the young country's 18 year old history. . . 
