South Ossetia residents name region's main problems ahead of presidential election
South Ossetia presidential election
Population decline, low wages, unemployment, queues at the customs checkpoint and poor public transport. Residents of South Ossetia named these as the main problems ahead of the snap presidential election.
Murad Valiev, Kazbek Kodoev, Marat Kambolov and Zurab Kokoev have been cleared to stand in the election. The Central Election Commission plans to print 40,000 ballot papers. Khokh Chochiev, leader of the Iry Farn party, who was denied registration, called the election a sham.
On 23 August, a Caucasian Knot correspondent spoke to residents of the region. The survey is not representative and reflects individual views.
“There is no trust left in anyone”
Fatima, 45, works as a kindergarten teacher in Tskhinval. She sees the lack of jobs as the main reason people are leaving the region.
“Young people mostly leave because of this. Graduates of Russian universities return home but cannot find work. If jobs become available here, they will come back,” she says.
Fatima also wants to see higher wages. She says incomes remain low while prices continue to rise. She also names queues at the customs checkpoint as another major problem.
“They said the situation improved after Kambolov visited the customs checkpoint. But there are still queues. I am not following the campaign. There is no trust left in anyone. I have not come across any campaigning either,” she said.
Karina, 23, is unemployed and lives in Dzau. She lists wages, unemployment, environmental problems and the state of agriculture among the region’s main challenges.
Public transport is a particular concern for her. The last bus leaves Dzau at 17:00, while the last bus from Tskhinval leaves at 18:00.
“I would like buses to run at least until eight or nine in the evening. I do not have a car and cannot afford to buy one. It is also practically impossible to get a loan or mortgage in South Ossetia,” Karina says.
In her view, unless these problems are addressed, the population decline will become irreversible.
“I am used to Russia’s authorities making all the decisions”
Karina is not following the election campaign and believes the outcome has already been decided.
“I am used to Russia’s authorities making all the decisions. They would benefit from making Kambolov president. The election is just window dressing. People have not had a choice for a long time,” she said.
Karina says she has not seen campaign posters or activists in Dzau or Tskhinval.
On 23 August, a Caucasian Knot correspondent spoke to residents of the region. The survey is not representative and reflects individual views.
“There is no trust left in anyone”
Fatima, 45, works as a kindergarten teacher in Tskhinval. She sees the lack of jobs as the main reason people are leaving the region.
“Young people mostly leave because of this. Graduates of Russian universities return home but cannot find work. If jobs become available here, they will come back,” she says.
Fatima also wants to see higher wages. She says incomes remain low while prices continue to rise. She also names queues at the customs checkpoint as another major problem.
“They said the situation improved after Kambolov visited the customs checkpoint. But there are still queues. I am not following the campaign. There is no trust left in anyone. I have not come across any campaigning either,” she said.
Karina, 23, is unemployed and lives in Dzau. She lists wages, unemployment, environmental problems and the state of agriculture among the region’s main challenges.
Public transport is a particular concern for her. The last bus leaves Dzau at 17:00, while the last bus from Tskhinval leaves at 18:00.
“I would like buses to run at least until eight or nine in the evening. I do not have a car and cannot afford to buy one. It is also practically impossible to get a loan or mortgage in South Ossetia,” Karina says.
In her view, unless these problems are addressed, the population decline will become irreversible.
“I am used to Russia’s authorities making all the decisions”
Karina is not following the election campaign and believes the outcome has already been decided.
“I am used to Russia’s authorities making all the decisions. They would benefit from making Kambolov president. The election is just window dressing. People have not had a choice for a long time,” she said.
Karina says she has not seen campaign posters or activists in Dzau or `Tskh`inval.
After meeting Vladimir Putin on 22 June, Alan Gagloev took up a position as his adviser. He then announced his resignation as president of South Ossetia.
Government head Marat Kambolov became acting president. An early election has been scheduled for 18 September.
Analysts previously interviewed by Caucasian Knot said that the deterioration of political and social institutions had continued under Gagloev. In their assessment, the population decline had reached such a scale that a new presidential candidate had to be brought in from outside.
South Ossetia presidential election
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
