In this 2005-photo, Pridnestrovie's president Igor Smirnov celebrates the 15th year of independence for the republic. The country is a democracy with the president chosen in free and democratic elections every five years.

Igor Smirnov, is a trade union organizer and former political prisoner. Although his party suffered a defeat in the country's most recent Parliamentary elections, Smirnov's personal popularity remains high.

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» Meet Igor Smirnov, Pridnestrovie's current president [0]