Chairman of the Supreme Council: It will be difficult for both the state and all citizens of Pridnestrovie

The law on measures of state support for citizens and business in the state of emergency came into force in the republic. Pridnestrovians suffer losses. We talked in detail about why it was important to adopt this document and whether the budget will withstand so many unplanned expenses in the current situation with the Chairman of the PMR Supreme Council Alexander Korshunov.

- Alexander Viktorovich, how many options were there for the measures that are already in the law?

Alexander Korshunov: The law-in-draft was prepared during discussion with the President, the Government, and deputies of the Supreme Council. Even that basic document, which was submitted to the Supreme Council, has undergone certain changes. More than 60 amendments have been submitted to the law-in-draft. All of them were discussed urgently. All were evaluated both from the point of view of desire and from the point of view of budget capabilities for the fulfillment of certain obligations that the state assumed during the state of emergency. The situation is quite complicated, unpredictable. It is important to make managerial decisions with a certain eye on the budget possibilities, on the situation in foreign markets.

It is clear that there are statements by some of our citizens that we could pay more attention and give more financial resources. Today it will be difficult not only for one citizen or for some business entity, it will be difficult for both the state and all citizens of Pridnestrovie. We assume that it is the consolidation of the whole society, unification, when one for all and all for one, this is the only option to get out with the least losses from the state of emergency and the fight against coronavirus infection.

- Was it so important to close all service enterprises, which mainly relate to individual entrepreneurs, and enterprises that sent their employees to work remotely?

Alexander Korshunov: We understand that this viral infection is very aggressive and is developing rapidly. Therefore, the main element of the fight against proliferation is the reduction in the number of contacts between people. If we are talking about shutting down business entities, suspending their activities, if we are talking about suspending public transport, if we are talking about minimizing the circulation of cash in rubles and foreign currency, these are all measures aimed at reducing contacts between people. Moreover, at all levels of government it was decided to maximize the transition to distance interaction and distance work, including the work of government bodies with citizens in remote mode.

Naturally, these managerial decisions influenced the sphere of activity of our business entities. We understood this very well, but we took this step precisely because from world experience we see that the speed of the spread of coronavirus is quite high. Health systems just can't do it.

Today, we spend a lot of unplanned efforts on organizing hospital premises, on purchasing medical equipment, protective overalls, gloves, masks. In order, on the one hand to protect health workers, and on the other hand to create conditions for our citizens to receive the necessary medical care.

- You say that now a lot of finance goes to the preparation of the health system. This is all from the budget. The law provides for financial support for a number of categories of citizens. Individual entrepreneurs or people whose enterprises were shutdown. How prepared are the republican budgets for such spending?

Alexander Korshunov: Let me remind you that we have adopted the budgets of recent years balanced according to socially protected items. This suggests that all social obligations of the state with planned budget revenues will be fulfilled in full and on time. But there was a certain airbag. Small, but it was. These are the financial resources that were laid in various areas, for example, the Youth Support Fund, the Capital Investment Fund and a number of other areas. Today, all of these resources are being accumulated in order to finance direct efforts to combat coronavirus infection. These are the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as the support of our citizens and business entities.

We understand that individual entrepreneurs, who have now suspended their activities, and the employees hired by them, have remained virtually without means of subsistence. In this regard, a difficult but balanced decision was made regarding the payment of the minimum wage to these citizens. And for legal entities, the state plans to pay 50% of the minimum wage for workers of these enterprises numbering up to 50 people and with a turnover of up to 10 million rubles and zeroing the social tax.

- What is the approximate amount per month needed for all measures of economic support of the state that were planned in the law?

Alexander Korshunov: According to preliminary estimates, the required amount per month only under the law on state support is 35-40 million rubles. This does not take into account the necessary financial costs for the healthcare system. After all, the areas of hospitals must be prepared, repairs, mechanical ventilation devices must be purchased and repaired, certain equipment must also be purchased for therapeutic measures, this is the purchase of medicines, rapid tests, etc. That is, you need to understand that, in addition to support measures, the state will also bear financial costs to combat the epidemic.

- There are a lot of talks among the population now, why didn’t they cancel the utility bills?

Alexander Korshunov: Regarding payment of utility bills, it was decided to provide by installments and not charge penalties and fines, assuming that our citizens are quite responsible people. Those who really will not be able to pay utility bills so that they do not fall under penalties and fines, we have prescribed this rule in the law. But if you do not pay utility bills, then tomorrow or the day after tomorrow we will be left without water and light. In this regard, I would like to appeal to our citizens: if you still have the opportunity to pay utility bills, pay in full and on time so that our utility system can work both in emergency mode and after emergency mode.

- What are the chances for Pridnestrovie not to fall into the economic crisis?

Alexander Korshunov: The world economy is now stagnating, and all countries are experiencing quite serious problems in terms of doing business and in the sale of finished products. There are big problems with budget occupancy. This applies, of course, to our state. It is important here that all citizens of Pridnestrovie understand the complexity of the situation, do not panic and continue to carry out their activities, some at the manufacturing enterprise, some in the power block, some in the public sector. I think that it is through joint efforts that we will be able to get out of this difficult situation.

- Are we ready to turn to friendly countries for help? Is there such an opportunity?

Alexander Korshunov: We predict certain shortfalls in the budget, we plan additional budgetary expenditures, understanding that it is necessary to carry out anti-pandemic measures, treatment, and support for our citizens and economic entities. Naturally, first of all we turned to the states friendly to us with a request for support. We are talking about ambulances, medical equipment necessary to fight the virus. They also appealed for financial support in the event of a long period of the pandemic.

- Does Pridnestrovie have a chance that the worst scenarios will bypass Pridnestrovie?

Alexander Korshunov: The pandemic will not bypass us. We already know that. Statistics show that every day more and more patients with coronavirus infection. It is very important to consolidate the society in the implementation of those recommendations that are developed by professional specialists in the field of medicine, and are developed by government in order to minimize the spread of this infection. We should stay at home whenever possible, have less contact with other people, and I think that everything will be fine.

                                                                             Interviewed by Irina Davydenko