Not Free Aggregate Score: Legislative elections were held in the breakaway region of Transnistria in November The struggling economy and public mistrust of the government were determining factors in a landslide victory by opposition party Obnovleniye Renewal.
Transnistria's economy worsened significantly during the year, due in part to the recession in Russia and less Russian financial support, though Transnistria blames its financial problems on an alleged blockade imposed by Moldova. Economic decline left the government unable to fully pay salaries and pensions.
Relations between Moldova and Transnistria worsened in Tensions had already increased after Moldova pursued closer ties with the European Union EU following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
While Transnistria maintains its own legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, no country recognizes its independence. Both the president and the seat, unicameral Supreme Council are elected to five-year terms.
Constitutional amendments approved in created a relatively weak post of prime minister and set a two-term limit on the presidency. In , the Supreme Council voted to hold the next local and legislative elections simultaneously in November , instead of in March and December, respectively. The move was reportedly designed to conserve resources, though some critics ascribed political or corrupt financial motives to the change.
