Meeting "Leader" is carried out for the tenth time. In addition to lectures, trainings, seminars and events of a competitive nature, the program traditionally includes youth communication with representatives of state authorities, public organizations, and business. Special honor is the organization of a conversation with the President at the meeting. Vadim Krasnoselsky, opening the discussion, called for moving away from the framework and restrictions, both temporary and thematic. Young people in the course of the conversation asked the President a dozen questions. They started with the economy, asking about the investment climate and prospects for the investment of foreign capital into the Pridnestrovian economy.
Vadim Krasnoselsky: Without investments, the normal development of the economy is impossible, it is impossible to imagine the development of new industries, the formation of additional jobs, the success and self-sufficiency of the budget is impossible. Starting from 2017, the Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic together with the PMR President and the Supreme Council are developing basic programs for attracting investments to our state. What conditions are necessary to attract investment? This is the absence of corruption, openness, acceptable legislation, good conditions for the investor. We create it in Pridnestrovie. To date, more than two dozen investment agreements have been signed, according to which foreign investors from near and far abroad are included in the production of Pridnestrovie and wish to place their assets here. We welcome everyone. We offer good business without politics. They are interested in us. I count on the forward movement, the result of which will be visible in two, three, five, ten years. Pridnestrovie will turn into a very interesting from investment point of view, flourishing region that will give an additional impetus to the development of our statehood. In addition, it is necessary to understand correctly that investing substantial funds is the capitalization of the state and a guarantee of its recognition. I think everything is ahead, we must work together. The future is for you, you continue".
Participant of the meeting, who arrived from Gagauzia, developing the theme of recognition of Pridnestrovie, noted the complexity of the international situation, the specificity of relations with its neighbors - Moldova and Ukraine. He asked about the presence of "trump card" for Pridnestrovie, which will contribute to the achievement of the cherished goal for the republic.
Vadim Krasnoselsky: We have a very strong "trump card". This is the people of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, who have already made their choice, expressed in referendum. All our legislation is based on the will of the people of our state. How does Pridnestrovian democracy differ from democracy in Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and Moldova? We have a unique situation from the point of view of people's democracy. People play a very important role. These are not empty words. The fact is that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, all the Union republics gained their power. The former Supreme Soviets were called parliaments, Saeimas, Dumas, Radas. These authorities determine the laws and the fate of the state. There was a parliamentary democracy in such states. A form of parliamentary democracy was elected in Moldova. Parliament determined the fate of Moldova. At the time of the formation of the statehood of Pridnestrovie, we did not have such bodies of state power. Therefore, the leaders of our state did the right thing. They asked the people by holding a referendum. As the people decided, they built the state. Seven referendums were held. It can be said for sure that we have chosen the form of people's democracy. The fate of the country was determined in Moldova and Ukraine by a group of people that the people chose - the parliament, and in our country the fate of the state was decided by the people. These decisions are not subject to discussion or change. That is, our most important “trump card” is the people of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic”.
Referring to various sociological surveys and studies related to Pridnestrovie, young people asked Vadim Krasnoselsky's opinion on the differences between Pridnestrovian and Moldavian society.
Vadim Krasnoselsky: I read about results of these studies. I was pleased with their openness and veracity. Not everything was in favor of Pridnestrovie and not everything in favor of Moldova. It seems to me that the politicians and public activists who conducted these surveys wanted to know the truth about how the people in Pridnestrovie think and what the people in Moldova think. It unequivocally showed that different nations with different values and different views live in Pridnestrovie and Moldova. This confirms my words that the Pridnestrovian people has been created in our country. I do not consider the question “Are you of Pridnestrovian, Russian, Ukrainian, or Moldavian nationality?”, because the Pridnestrovian people consist of representatives of different nationalities. But even with such a statement of the question, 35% answered that they consider themselves Pridnestrovian. This is a large percentage. If you asked the question "Who do you think you are - a representative of the Pridnestrovian or Moldovan people?", I assure you, the figure in favor of Pridnestrovians would be 97-98%. Different categories said during the poll that we really have different values and different views. I analyzed the semantic presentation of these analytical studies and came to the conclusion that many states came to understand that the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic was created de facto, the Pridnestrovian people were created, who have the right to their independence. We will welcome any ally who will support the independence of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. This is correct because it is the choice of the people. Pridnestrovie is a peace-loving state, and we are developing relations with our neighbors - Moldova and Ukraine, with our strategic partner the Russian Federation, Western states and not only. We position ourselves as the region of development that has a future, and of course there will be recognition. This analyst helps to strengthen the statehood of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic”.
Returning to the history, the interlocutors spoke about the role of individuals. Vadim Krasnoselsky was asked about his attitude to Joseph Stalin. It turned out to be rather negative, as well as to the idea of Bolshevism.
Vadim Krasnoselsky: Many people see Stalin as strong personality. People probably missed the discipline, and hence the strong personality. I am against the usurpation of power, against deception, against repression. Why am I against such a movement as Bolshevism? I recall that the Bolsheviks, having come to power, promised three components: land to peasants, factories to workers, power to the Soviets. In fact what turned out to be? The land was not given to peasants, the factories were not given to the workers. Did the Soviets have power under Soviet rule? No, it was not. The power in the Soviet Union belonged to the party elite — the bureau of the CPSU Central Committee, party committees, regional committees, and so on. They made the decision. It was the usurpation of power by one party, the party of the Bolsheviks. The Soviets, unfortunately, played the role of the executive office and did not take any decisions. They brought to life what the party elite decided. When in 1990 the sixth article of the USSR Constitution on the leading role of the party was abolished, the Soviet Union collapsed. They removed the core of power, and the Soviets did not have time to take a leading role in the state. I am for the power of the Soviets, because it is a form of democracy. If the state is parliamentary, then it is Soviet. Please note: all the leading European powers are building parliamentary states. The people elects Parliament. It is the party that is trusted that forms all the institutions of power. This is a form of good democracy. We have presidential republic. In practice, the form for the most part mixed. I tend to give more powers to the Soviets, I am interested in strengthening the role of the Soviets in the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.
If we talk about Stalin, then there are negative components, which I have already mentioned, usurpation of power, unfulfilled promises, insufficiently effective governance. If we consider the Great Patriotic War as an argument, then for some reason everyone thinks that Stalin won. Not Stalin won, the people of the Soviet Union won.
I am for democracy, for normal human power and for the power of the people. The power of the people is manifested through the power of the Soviets. Unfortunately, there was no power of the Soviets in the Soviet Union. If there was power of the Soviets in the Soviet Union, we would live in one big state now.
Young leaders were interested in the opinion of Vadim Krasnoselsky about the relevance in our time of the activities of youth organizations in general and the Komsomol in particular. We paid attention to the sport, the fight against drug addiction, the environment and the state of the roads. We talked about the armed forces and the prospects of complete non-compulsory service in favor of professional army.
Vadim Krasnoselsky: Do you think that the PMR army is unprofessional? Our army is really professional. It consists of two components. A minor component is conscript call. A big component is contract. Why conscript call is necessary in any state? This is our history. For example, the history of the Great Patriotic War. By October 1941, the entire workers 'and peasants' Red Army was destroyed. All the equipment was destroyed. What did German strategists underestimate when developing the Barbarossa plan? They underestimated the powerful potential of the people’s militia. Thanks to the people’s militia, the conscript call, we managed to defeat the Germans. Military service, its concept is to enable young people to get basic skills to protect themselves, their loved ones, their state. War is bad, but if you want peace, prepare for war. We have all the conditions for comfortable military service. The army has the principle of working day, students of military age have the right to simultaneously study and serve, living conditions and nutrition are improved. We are waiting for you to give your military debt to the state”
The conversation turned to the fact that today healthy lifestyle is in trend. They talked about the spread of volunteer attitudes in society. The President, noting that he supports this direction, emphasized the inadmissibility of reformatting noble cause into free labor force. The topic of compulsory health insurance is interesting for young people. They asked the opinion of the President on this subject. Vadim Krasnoselsky considers medical insurance as an additional tax payment, the decision on the introduction of which can be made only after thorough examination of the issue by experts, analysis of the experience of other countries (both positive and negative) and assessment of the capabilities of the population. The topic requires public discussion, the President noted.
More about taxes. Future entrepreneurs, or perhaps economists talked about the pros and cons of taxing profits and working capital, were interested in the position of the President.
Vadim Krasnoselsky: Today the simplest form of taxation is when business participants pay a percentage of their income. Everything is very simple. To impose income tax in an unrecognized state is ineffective. We will not be able to work on VAT with a state like Moldova, which considers itself to be one and indivisible. We are separate. From the point of view of modern conditions, I think the income tax is the most optimal. When we are recognized by the state, we can offer another form. The form of taxation of income is applicable in many countries of the world. To date, there are no problems or complaints from businessmen, in principle, everyone is happy. If there are proposals, we will consider.
The young people, most of whom are students raised the topic of incommensurability of tuition fees at PSU with the size of scholarships and salaries. They asked Vadim Krasnoselsky about how he assesses the quality of education and the state of the material and technical base of the state university.
Vadim Krasnoselsky: I am a graduate of Pridnestrovian State University, Faculty of Law. My daughter is fourth year student of the medicine faculty. I am sure that our university provides a good theoretical base. The question is different: there is a lack of technical equipment, material base. Gradually, step by step, year after year, we will overcome these difficulties. Our students who entered Russian universities, being at an average level, in Russia they show very high result. This confirms that our theoretical base is good. The improvement of the material and technical component is the daily work of the authorities and the university. It is impossible to immediately achieve the desired. Much depends on our budget.
As for paid education. The first education can be obtained free of charge if you have high-quality knowledge, but the second education is paid. We will increase the number of budget places, but only for those specialties that are in demand in Pridnestrovie. I urge everyone to get an applied education and wish each of you to find a decent job.
Another question concerning education: the possibility of further training abroad. The President was asked about the existence of relevant programs that would allow obtaining additional knowledge outside the republic at state expense, provided, of course, that they return to their homeland and apply it here. Vadim Krasnoselsky, noting that the country's leadership is interested in training high-level specialists, spoke about the work being done in this direction. He informed the young people about the recent visit of representatives of Pridnestrovian delegation to the Russian capital, the purpose of which is to establish working contacts and conclude relevant agreements.
Among the topics raised by the young people was demography, support of youth, potential risks of outflow of capital abroad, prospects for technical re-equipment of rowing bases and other sports facilities, development of the sphere of solid household waste were also mentioned in the conversation with the President. Offers were sounded today. Referring to the Russian practice, the participants of the meeting propose to increase the age limit of young people: young people are considered to be 30 in Pridnestrovie, in Russia - 35.
Young people are interested in and management features, in particular, work in the position of the President. They asked, for example, what was the most difficult decision taken by Vadim Krasnoselsky as President, as well as about who works for the image of the President.
Vadim Krasnoselsky: I cannot name the most difficult decision. All solutions are both complex and easy at the same time. It all depends on how the problem and its solution is assessed. What do I like about work? Result. When you work and see the result. When you see people to whom you helped, you like it. When you know that the state needs you, you like it. You like to do. It is not arguments that move forward, but actions that are aimed at the result. When you achieve this, you get moral satisfaction.
Who creates the image, working on the image? This is no such person. Any leader should be clear and natural. How you are in the family, with close people, so you should be at work. Creating an image is when you're alone at home, and at work you play a role that someone advises you, you are not independent, you can not prove yourself truly. Sooner or later it will be visible. Leader must be natural, and by his honesty, by his naturalness, win confidence.
