In the Transnistrian region of Moldova, on November 30, the next “elections” were held for the deputies of the “Supreme Council” and the heads of local and district “administrations.” According to the so-called “CEC,” turnout was 26.01%—102,600 out of 394,000 voters—the lowest in the entire history of the electoral process in the occupied territory.
As of December 2, only a preliminary list of 33 elected deputies has been published. All of them are affiliated with the “Renewal” party, which is controlled by the Sheriff holding of oligarch Viktor Gushan. Detailed voting results—statistics by district, the number of valid ballots, or the distribution of votes among candidates, as well as data on votes “against a candidate” in constituencies—are not available.
The 2025 campaign effectively took place without competition. Forty-five candidates ran for 33 seats, and in 21 districts voters had a choice only between a single candidate and the “against all” option. In the previous 2020 elections, Renewal won 29 of 33 seats, and the remaining four “independent” deputies were also linked to the Sheriff business group.
The Bureau for Reintegration Policy of Moldova emphasized that these “elections” violate the country’s constitution and laws and have no legal effect on the region’s status.
Extremely low turnout, lack of competition, and full control of the Supreme Council by Renewal indicate a growing gap between the occupation administration and the population. Against the backdrop of economic decline, tariff pressures, and reduced support from Russia, hidden social discontent in the region is expected to increase.
