Residents of Pridnestrovie with Russian citizenship are participating in the elections for deputies to the 9th State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Voting in the republic is taking place on a single day – September 20. Seventeen polling stations have been opened. The Krasnoselsky couple voted in Tiraspol at polling station No. 8205, located in the Palace of the Republic.
Vadim Krasnoselsky spoke with journalists after voting. Key points from the conversation are highlighted below:
"If you look at the history of elections held by the Russian Federation in Pridnestrovie whether for the President of the Russian Federation, the State Duma or referendums, citizens of Pridnestrovie holding Russian passports consistently demonstrate high levels of engagement. I can explain why. It is not a performance; there is no need to put on a show. You know, we are geographically cut off here from our historical homeland, from the former Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, but people still feel a deep connection to that homeland. So, naturally, when people stand in line like this, they are a genuine part of the Great Motherland Russia in the broadest sense of the word in that very moment. For us, this isn't just for show; it is our life. We anticipated high engagement and high turnout, and this day confirms that. The people standing here would likely back me up on that, you know?"
"You know, as President, my thoughts are naturally bound up with certain concerns about the fate of Pridnestrovie and about our greater historical Motherland. I love history, after all; I understand the essence of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, and I realize that all of that was once taken from us. Naturally, one hopes for a different era, time when we wouldn't have to worry anxiously about what tomorrow brings. Do you see the nuance? You likely share these sentiments yourself. It is simply the times we live in. We have to weather this and keep moving forward".
"People everywhere vote for hope. People everywhere think about good things. I can guarantee that no one here has ever voted or ever will vote for war or catastrophe. Everyone votes for peace and a bright future. After all, that is normal and natural for any human being. The fact that aggression, war, hatred, and hostility are being generated all around us is the reality of the present day, unfortunately. This is once again the result of a failure to listen to the people to the will of the people. The people always vote for stability. I mentioned this in a recent interview: the people always vote for stability. Listen to the people and do as they say, and we will eliminate the possibility of conflicts, wars, and tensions".
"The people of Pridnestrovie never vote just to set records. They vote for what truly matters – for life. Of course, this causes irritation. I have said more than once that the neighboring state of Moldova is hostile toward Pridnestrovie, unfortunately. I simply cannot understand why, I really cannot grasp the reason. Generations have passed, the war is in the past, and we certainly never instigate aggression. Just live in peace, for goodness sake! Stop standing in the way of people expressing their views in referendums; stop hindering them from obtaining citizenship, any citizenship! After all, we don't stop people from obtaining Moldovan citizenship if that is what they want. We don't stand in their way. By all means. IF you wish, go ahead and get it. I see no problem with that. Yet, for some reason, this Russian orientation – obtaining Russian citizenship, participating in elections, and so on – provokes aggression. That is not right".
