France, Sept. 26 -- The separatist region of Transnistria has long been the thorn in the side of Moldova's pursuit of European Union membership - a fact thrown into sharp relief as parliamentary elections loom.

At the 28 September elections in Moldova, most people in the breakaway region of Transnistria won't vote.

"There are no polling stations. They consider themselves independent," says Nico Lamminparras, an expert in the politics of Transnistria based in Helsinki.

Transnistrians who want to vote can do so, if they cross the artificial border formed by the Dniester river into Moldova proper, where the government will open several polling stations.

The inhabitants of Transnistria are predominantly pro-Russian and "local authorities ...