The majority of the Pridnestrovian population consider themselves to be Russians, regardless of their nationality. This is evidenced by the results of numerous sociological studies, which have been repeatedly held in Pridnestrovie. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of the population sees Pridnestrovie as part of Russia and considers it their great mental Homeland. This choice was confirmed by the results of the 2006 national referendum. But the most important thing is that there are about 220,000 Russian citizens in Pridnestrovie, who have another opportunity to show the whole world what their priorities are, to whom they trust and what they seek.
It is quite obvious that in this context, the election of the Russian president is another opportunity for Pridnestrovie's citizens of Russia to demonstrate their Russian origin, their belonging to the Russian world, to remind everyone once again that Pridnestrovie is a small Russia, the "most" Russian land.
The president in Russia is the highest official who determines the foreign policy of the state. This is well understood by Pridnestrovians, who throughout the 27 years of independence have witnessed Russia's support and assistance in establishing Pridnesyrovian statehood, ensuring peace and security, and implementing a peacekeeping operation on the banks of the Dniester. It is clear to all Pridnestrovians that without Russia's direct assistance to Pridnestrovie, our country would not have survived. This is what we must be grateful for to all the Russian people and their leadership. Obviously, this support would be impossible without the involvement of the Russian president. That is why it is so important for Russian citizens of Pridnestrovie to take part in the Russian presidential elections and support the presidential candidate who, we believe, will be concerned with the resolution of the "Transnistrian problem" in the interests of the Pridnestrovian people, who will try to find a formula for our decent existence and who, finally, will make a decision to recognise the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.
By their vote Pridnestrovians should once again remind all political forces of Russia, first of all presidential candidates, of our existence, of our unwillingness to be outside the borders of Russia, that we have been trying for 27 years to realize the will of the Pridnestrovian people to self-determination, the formation and legitimation of an independent Pridnestrovian state, facing difficulties, challenges and threats from neighboring countries.
Extremely important is the massive voting of Pridnestrovians, in other words, the need for as many citizens of Russia as possible to take part in the elections. so that the number of voters will exceed 60,000, 90,000 and even 100,000 people. After all, the more of them will come to polling stations, the weightier the Pridnestrovian vote will be in the eyes of Russian public opinion, in the eyes of the elected president. At the same time, Pridnestrovie's Central Election Commission should be concerned with attracting Pridnestrovian voters who will be in Russia at the time of elections. To this end, it is necessary to develop a program for the participation of Pridnestrovians in the election of the Russian president with a plan of concrete actions.
27 years of Pridnestrovie's independent existence and struggle for international recognition is long enough to demonstrate its viability, vitality, desire to live in peace and friendship with its neighbours, to follow the generally recognised principles of international law. Let us express our confidence that in the next six years the elected president of Russia will make use of his right to recognise the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.
Professor Ilya Galinsky, head of the political science and public administration of SPSU
