Reformer Yevgeny Shevchuk, new head of Parliament
Government | Democracy | Elections
Yevgeny Shevchuk, just 38, is the freshest face of politics in Pridnestrovie. As head of the country's parliament he represents the new generation of this young and independent country. Meet the man who is leading the wave of democratic reform.
A new, fresh wave of politics is sweeping Pridnestrovie and it has a name: Yevgeny Shevchuk. Just 38 years old, this native-born reformer just got elected to the second-highest post in the nation. As the country's chairman and Parliamentary Speaker he holds a position equivalent to prime minister, just a step down from the president of the republic.
The latest Pridnestrovian election, in December 2005, was won by the opposition party 'Renewal'; defeating the incumbent ruling party 'Respublica'. Following the win, a new generation of reformers were swept into power with the election of Yevgeny Shevchuk as chairman and Parliamentary Speaker. Eugene, as he is known to his followers, is a lawyer and a former bank manager.
Described as a social democratic technocrat with a European outlook, and a man of profound democratic beliefs, his own brand of "Renewal" means revitalizing the country's institutions to make them more open, democratic and transparent. By doing so, the party believes, state sovereignty will be strengthened and the civic society will grow.
Young:
Yevgeny Shevchuk was born on 19 June 1968.
Native-born in Pridnestrovie:
Yevgeny is a native son. He was born in the local town of Rybnitsa, the son of working class parents.
Education, law school:
Finished high school in local Rybnitsa, 1985. Studied agromechanics in the Chisinau Agricultural Institute, 1985. Army service, 1986. Entered law school at the T.G. Shevchenko University, Tiraspol, in 1992. Graduated as a lawyer in 1996.
Other studies / courses taken / specializations:
1994 - 1996: State Administration Academy (Russia), specialization in law-enforcement implementation.
1999 - 2001: Academy of Foreign Trade (Russia), international commercial department, specialization in world economy.
2002 - 2003: Kiev Diplomatic Academy (Ukraine), part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Work experience:
1996 - 1998: Head of tax administration in Tiraspol.
1998 - 2000: Manager of the Rybnitsa branch of the privately-owned "Sheriff" food- and beverages production company.
2000 - 2001: Branch-manager of the bank "Agro-Industrial Bank".
Political experience:
Two term member of parliament. First elected in 2000. In the 2000-2005 parliamentary session, Yevgeny held the following committee posts:
Chairman of committee on questions of economic policy, budget and finances.
Chairman of commission for foreign policy and international communications services.
Re-elected in 2005.
Current post:
Chairman of Pridnestrovie's parliament; speaker of Parliament. This post is similar to that of Prime Minister and is an elected position with a five year duration (2005-2010).
Political views:
Like most of the voters in Pridnestrovie, Yevgeny too favors full independence and rejects efforts to unite the country with Moldova.
Quote:
"Pridnestrovie, our country, is independent and will stay independent as an important partner in Europe."
