Record-breaking rally in Tiraspol as thousands celebrate Smirnov landslide

An estimated 15,000 supporters celebrated the Smirnov landslide win in the streets of Tiraspol this Monday

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - With a cry of "long live our freedom", independence leader and President Igor Smirnov opened a post-election victory rally after he won re-election in a landslide over his three opposition challengers on Sunday. The overwhelming win brought thousands of supporters into the streets of Tiraspol on Monday, celebrating the victory of the man who is seen here as one of the strongest defenders of independence and the continuation of a future in freedom from Chisinau rule.

Smirnov, 65, won a strong mandate to press for international recognition of the new and emerging country of nearly 600,000 people, approximately the same size as Montenegro. In June, Montenegro became the latest member to join the United Nations by declaring its sovereign statehood after an voters narrowly approved independence in a referendum.

Pridnestrovie held a similar referendum in September, with 97% voting in favor of independence and 94% saying no to a proposal for a joint state with neighboring Moldova.

Critics, including Moldova, regard Smirnov as a rebel secessionist despite the fact that Pridnestrovie (also known as Transnistria and Transdniester) declared independence one year one year earlier than Moldova and was never part of a Moldovan state at any time in history. Both were part of the Soviet Union, but whereas Pridnestrovie has a mostly Slavic majority and speak Russian, Moldova is predominantly Romanian in both majority population and language.

Clear signal: Only one way forward

Mr Smirnov, who was jailed by Moldova in 1991 for opposition to a unified state, was first elected in 1991 and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001. With more than 82% of the electorate in his favor this time around, his latest win represents an improvement over earlier poll numbers and the strongest-ever majority yet.

Despite wintery December temperatures, Smirnov supporters celebrated in the streets by the thousands, with estimates by Tiraspol-based New Region press putting the figure at an astounding 15,000. Amazing crowds assembled at a central square in the capital, sharing their dreams and waving the national flag of the young country.

" - I am so happy. This election sends a clear signal to the world that we are on the right path, and that there is only one way forward, and it is democracy and freedom as an independent country," yelled Corneliu Diaconescu, an electrician.

The size of the event broke all previous records. Never before in Tiraspol have so many voters marched together in support of a candidate.

" - This shows how strong our political desire for independence and international recognition is, for that is what Smirnov stands for now," said Yuri Orlov, 21.

82% in a 4 candidate race

The Central Election Commission said Smirnov won 82 per cent, while his three challengers each registered in the single digits. Turnout was 66 per cent.

" - Together, we have clearly sent a message to those who thought that they could humiliate the people of Pridnestrovie," he told thousands of supporters who had gathered in a central square in Tiraspol Monday to celebrate the massive election victory.

Waving red-and-green national flags of Pridnestrovie, they chanted "Five more years" as fireworks crackled in the air and voters hugged to celebrate the former political prisoner's win.

Many carried handwritten banners with slogans such as "Smirnov - our President!", "for the peaceful tomorrow!", "international recognition of PMR now!" and came to congratulate the President with his election victory.

A folksy and fatherly politician, Smirnov is popular among PMR's working class majority because of his social spending on affordable energy, low cost food, hospitals and clinics and schools.

Single-issue candidate popular with voters

Aiming at the key issue which resonates with a strongly independent-minded electorate, his campaign staff portrayed him as the bulwark that would always defend against Moldovan attempts to impose its rule on the unrecognized country. Election posters showed Smirnov portraits flanked by the slogan “Tested by Time.” In the past, Smirnov has consistently stood firm on the population's wish for independence and, like the vast majority of the voters, rejected incorporation into the neighboring country which fought an unsuccessful invasion attempt in 1992.

A political analyst based in a European Union member country told Tiraspol Times that the Smirnov re-election means that the way forward is predictable for all countries in the region, be they pro- or anti-independence. He expressed satisfaction that the Smirnov win will bring more stability, and noted that with Smirnov in the presidency again, there is a good balance of power between the executive and the opposition-controlled parliament.

Although the disagree on domestic policies, both the president and parliament are in agreement when it comes to foreign policy: Like the vast majority of voters, they want Pridnestrovie - also known as Transdniesteria, among other names - to stay independent and to obtain international recognition of its 16 year old de facto sovereignty.

Ionel Florea, a first-time voter, said: "This president is the embodiment of our hope and our dreams. In a way, my vote was a protest vote. I am protesting against the double standard of Moldova and its supporters by voting for Igor Nikolaevich and for the right to live as a free and independent country, our Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica."

See also:
» No surprise: Smirnov wins re-election by wide margin in Transdniester

(photo: New Region press)

(photo: New Region press)

(photo: New Region press)

(photo: New Region press)