Russian lawmaker makes another bid to enter South Ossetian politics
North Ossetia parliament member Dzambolat Tedeyev, who represents the A Just Russia – Patriots – For Truth party and is a former head coach of Russia’s national freestyle wrestling team, is officially returning to South Ossetian politics. What role he intends to play, however, remains unclear. His previous attempts to establish himself in the region’s political scene have all ended in failure.
A native of South Ossetia, Tedeyev once even sought to become the region’s president.
At the recent third congress of the Patriots of Alania party, which was already under Tedeyev’s influence, he was elected its chairman. The high-profile move in Tskhinvali coincided with the party’s nomination of Murat Valiyev — a serving officer in the State Protection Service and former KGB officer — as its presidential candidate.
Tedeyev said the party’s main goal would be to ensure that the views of South Ossetian citizens are heard by the republic’s leadership.
“Our position has never changed, but now we have our own platform from which we can defend the interests of our citizens and our country. Today, we see people leaving because they cannot find work. Despite an investment programme aimed at creating new businesses, unemployment remains a serious problem.
There are many issues to address. But today we have hope because, thanks to you, we now have a party where we can make our voices heard. We must unite and build the future of our republic together,” he told delegates at the party congress.
Commenting on the nomination of little-known State Protection Service officer Murat Valiyev as the party’s presidential candidate, Tedeyev appeared to acknowledge that Valiyev was being put forward as a “technical candidate.” He urged acting president and election frontrunner Marat Kambolov to “rely on” Valiyev and his allies.
Tedeyev also recalled his own failed presidential bid in 2011, when the Central Election Commission refused to register him as a candidate.
“There was a time when I wanted to run, but I wasn’t allowed to. Today, I see that Marat has greater potential, stronger connections, and is capable of achieving more. Why shouldn’t he rely on me? That’s why I decided that even if we nominate Murat Valiyev today, Marat should rely on him, on us, on all of us.
And let’s all put our ambitions aside a little. We all know what we’re capable of.”
Tedeyev’s remarks have prompted mixed reactions in South Ossetia. Local analysts say it remains unclear whether he genuinely intends to challenge for power or is instead demonstrating loyalty by putting forward his ally as a “technical candidate” in the hope of negotiating with Kambolov after the election.
The events of 2011, when Dzambolat Tedeyev unsuccessfully challenged the outgoing president, Eduard Kokoity, for power, remain fresh in South Ossetia’s collective memory.
After the Central Election Commission refused to register his presidential candidacy, Tedeyev threw his support behind former education minister Alla Dzhioyeva. Although the former official had been accused of corruption and placed under house arrest, her alliance with Tedeyev helped unite the protest vote and secure victory in the election.
The pair, however, were never allowed to take power. The Supreme Court annulled the election results, triggering days of street protests. The opposition, led by Dzhioyeva and Tedeyev, unsuccessfully sought to defend what they said was their electoral victory.
The standoff ended in a compromise that ultimately fell short of Tedeyev’s ambitions. Kokoity announced his resignation, even though his second and final term was already nearing its end, while the opposition agreed to end the protests. A repeat presidential election was scheduled for March 2012, but Dzhioyeva did not take part.
Since then, Tedeyev has periodically sought to influence political developments in South Ossetia, but without much success. Ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections, for example, he formed an alliance with the parliamentary People’s Party, whose members were once supporters of former president Eduard Kokoity.
According to local analysts, in exchange for Tedeyev’s financial backing, the party agreed to include his allies on its electoral list. However, the alliance ultimately failed to secure a majority of seats in parliament.
The terminology, place names and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of this website.
Dzambolat Tedeyev takes over South Ossetia party
