For opposition leader, the survival of Pridnestrovie is more important than who has the top job

Yevgeny Shevchuk, 38, ruled out a presidential run after Moldova started economic warfare: "Survival of PMR matters more."

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - The opposition party Renewal, led by young lawyer Yevgeny Shevchuk, swept to power in 2005 when it gained a parliamentary majority over pro-Smirnov party Respublika. It's leader - a self-described technocrat with a European outlook - calls the party a social democratic party, but takes care to make sure that it is not confused with the formal Social Democratic Party of Pridnestrovie, a newly formed party with no representation in parliament yet.

Yevgeny Shevchuk took a deep breath and decided that this year at least, he did not want to be the one to rock the boat.

For Shevchuk and his majority block of MPs, regardless of who the president is, and if Renewal is in opposition to him or her, the most important thing is to keep the new and emerging country's statehood. In the current situation, the main priority is to withstand pressure from abroad which was originally designed to bring Pridnestrovie to its knees and liquidate the legitimate aspirations of the people for seeing Pridnestrovie as a free and independent country. That was the conclusion of an interview with the TV channel NTV, 9 December.

He also explains why he and his party decided to not launch a bid for the presidential seat this time around. Although he thinks that he could win, the reason - he says - has to do with actions taken by neighboring Moldova. Because of what he sees an an economic blockade, underway by Moldova and Ukraine since March 3, the warring parties on the local political scene decided to circle the wagons. This was done in order to first fend off these outside threats to the new and emerging country before creating more strife internally. Shevchuk explains that right now, what Pridnestrovie needs is stability and the international consolidation of its sovereignty.

Yevgeny, in PMR the main question on everyone's lips has to do with you. Why didn't join enter this race and become a candidate for president this year?

" - First, in making this decision, the Renewal party and I had to analyze the situation today in our nation [unrecognized country, Pridnestrovie, ed.]. On 3 March of this year, the Republic of Moldova initiated economic actions against us which were aimed at impoverishing our population and increase political tensions within society. In a situation where I am already the leader of the highest legislative body, as Speaker of Parliament, I have to be responsible and understand that serious political problems could arise if I am suddenly seeking the post of President; the head of the executive branch. The political struggle that could arise as a result of my nomination as presidential candidate could lead to an institutional crisis: a conflict of the two public bodies, the legislative and the executive branch. This will increase tension and instability within the State and affect the population directly. Perhaps this is what Moldova would like. But I don't think that Moldova deserves to be handed such a gift. In the current situation, the main priority for us is to stand firm in the face of foreign threats to Pridnestrovie as a nation. Pridnestrovie needs stability and international consolidation of its sovereignty. In such circumstances, Renewal and myself decided that it would not be right for me to throw my hat in the ring for this year's presidential elections. I think that this was the right decision."

In the next election for president, will you vote?

"– Of course. I am a citizen of the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica and I believe that it is the duty of every PMR citizen to take an active part in all of the elections, so that the elections truly reflect the democratic will of the population."

And what is the outlook for the next presidential election?

"– The mood is good, positive."

But don't you think "It could have been me..." ?

"– No. I think that there is a list of priorities here. The main thing, I repeat, is our statehood and then the need for stability in the economic outlook for the country. Who will be the head of state is something which does not even rank in the top five list of priorities. Politicians come and go. The population, and especially those citizens who seek public office, will keep living here for many years to come. Rather, to address the strategic development of the State, that is the task of responsible public officials and politicians."

Pridnestrovie, also sometimes known as either Transdniester or Transnistria, declared independence in 1990 during the break-up of the Soviet Union. It has a population approximately equal to Montenegro and double the population of Iceland. Its territory is approximately twice the size of Luxembourg, and it has its own flag, constition, currency, passports and democratically elected parliament.

Although it meets all the requirements for statehood under international law, the new country has not yet been recognized by the international community due to an unresolved territorial claim by Moldova. In 1992, Moldova invaded the two year old country in order to enforce its sovereignty but was driven back by the mostly Slav inhabitants. The territory and its inhabitants have no historical or cultural ties to Moldova, and the land has never been part of an independent Moldova at any time in history.

The head of the largest opposition party, Renewal, supports the independent statehood of Pridnestrovie. For Yevgeny Shevchuk, even unrecognized statehood is acceptable to the alternative. Becoming part of Moldova is out of the question, both for his party and the majority of the voters. (With information from New Region press)

See also:
» Yevgeny Shevchuk: "Democracy means respecting the majority will of the people"
» Experts: Challenge underway from PMR's opposition-controlled parliament
» Yevgeny Shevchuk: "We will work for more and more democratization"

On the web:
» Profile of Yevgeny Shevchuk