The authenticity of elections and public trust as factors of internal legitimacy of power and the formation of international legal personality of the state

Abstract

The article explores important aspects of internal legitimacy of power and the formation of international legal personality of a state using the example of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR). The focus of the study is directed towards analyzing the authenticity of elections and the trust of the electorate as key factors in that process.

The authors conduct an analytical overview of the electoral process in the PMR, identifying the main aspects influencing the legitimacy of power within the country. The article also characterizes the means of legal regulation and protection of electoral rights. Special attention is paid to the relationship between the principles of democratic elections, including their openness, transparency, and fairness, and the level of trust demonstrated by the population towards elected representatives and institutions of power. By comparing the realities of political processes and electoral traditions with the provisions of international law on democratic election standards, the authors justify conclusions about their full compliance, as well as the observance of electoral rights and freedoms of citizens in the PMR. Such specific conclusion is laid out to support a more general conclusion about the compliance of Pridnestrovie as a whole with the standards of statehood established by international law. Based on the analysis of theoretical concepts and empirical data, the authors conclude that the quality of elections and the level of trust of the electorate play a crucial role in strengthening internal stability and international legitimacy of the state.