Kambolov elected president of South Ossetia — The Moscow Times
In South Ossetia, Georgia’s separatist region, former Russian official Marat Kambolov was elected president. According to The Moscow Times, Russian state media reported that he received 85% of the vote in Friday’s election, with turnout at 73%.
Kambolov is 61 years old and comes from North Ossetia, a republic within the Russian Federation, the aggressor state. He previously held senior positions in Russian federal authorities, including at the Ministry of Education. According to the publication, Kambolov had no previous ties to South Ossetia.
Kambolov’s career
In June, Kambolov was appointed prime minister of South Ossetia after Alan Gagloyev left the presidency to become an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin congratulated Kambolov in a telegram published on the Kremlin’s website. Speaking in Tskhinvali, Kambolov said he intended to improve living standards in the region and stressed the need for joint work to bring changes to the republic and its capital.
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Dependence on Russia
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the voting results demonstrated South Ossetian society’s aspiration for domestic political stability, development and stronger ties with Russia.
South Ossetia, with a population of about 50,000 people, is largely dependent on Russia for food, equipment and energy supplies. Moscow funds salaries for public-sector workers, pensions and major infrastructure projects, and also maintains a military base in the region.
In May, South Ossetia and Russia signed an agreement to deepen cooperation in defense, foreign policy and security, as well as to integrate energy networks and transport infrastructure. Georgia condemned the agreement, calling it an attempt by Russia to entrench the de facto annexation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Tbilisi also criticized Russia’s opening of polling stations in these regions for elections to the Russian State Duma.
