Referendum in Pridnestrovie: “to be” or “not to be”?

The discussion of the necessity of the Referendum on new Constitution is running high in Pridnestrovie.

Correspondence debate over the need for a new edition of the Constitution of Pridnestrovie is running up betwwen the executive and legislative branches of the republic.

State television and print media, close to the executive branch, initiated the campaign to inform the population about the suggested Constitutional reform. The key informational materials in the news blocks of TV PMR with President, representatives of Ministries and leaders of pro-president public organizations present demonstrate the will of the President’s team to hold the referendum to support new project of the Basic Law.

Meanwhile, the adverse party of the conflict represented by members of Parliament who represent the majority parliamentory party of Pridnestrovian Parliament – the Party “Renewal”, express fears, according to which the presidential Constituational project has been worked out not in full. Thus, according to PMR Supreme Council deputies, the version proposed and approved by President Smirnov, does not fully address the recommendations relating to local governments . Deputies are also concerned about the proposal, included to the project of new Basic Law, that bicameral parliament has to be created and that other measures aimed at strengthening the position of executive power are established.

During the next session of the Supreme Council of Pridnestrovie MPs should provide a summary assessment of the President’s initiative. If the decision to hold a referensum is not supported by the deputies, the President’s team will have to collect 15 000 signatures. In this case the citizens of Pridnestrovie will decide which Constitution they will live with in the future.