Transdniester Leader To Run For Fourth Term

Igor Smirnov, leader of Transdniester, votes in the referendum on independence in September (ITAR-TASS) November 3, 2006 -- The leader of the pro-Russian separatist region of Transdniester in eastern Moldova has submitted his candidacy for a fourth term as president.

Igor Smirnov, who has run the province since 1991 when it declared independence from Moldova, said today that he "trusts in the people's will."

The head of Transdniester's electoral commission, Piotr Denisenko, said Smirnov's name would be on the ballot for the December 10 election. The breakaway, self-declared republic has no term limits for the presidency.

(AP)