Several political groups in occupied Tskhinvali/South Ossetia joined an initiative group that endorsed the candidacy of Marat Kambolov, the de facto acting leader, to run in the so-called early “presidential vote” slated for September 18, following the resignation of Alan Gagloev on June 23.
Kambolov, a North Ossetia-born longtime Russian official, was appointed as Tskhinvali’s de facto prime minister on June 16, weeks after the signing of the so-called “Treaty on Deepening Allied Cooperation” on May 9, with the document foreseeing, among others, that “citizens” of one side “may hold state and municipal positions” in the other. Tbilisi views the treaty as another step towards Moscow’s annexation of Georgia’s occupied regions.
Following the resignation of Gagloev, the former de facto “president” who became the advisor of the Russian President Vladimir Putin on the day of his resignation, Kambolov took over his duties and is now expected to run in the September 18 “presidential elections.”
On July 2, Tskhinvali-based RES outlet reported that an initiative group formed by workers of BTK-4 factory submitted a petition to the “central election commission” endorsing Kambolov’s nomination to run in the vote, making him the first nominated “presidential” candidate.
In the following days, various local political groups and figures, including Nykhas, United Ossetia, Communist Party, Unity, joined the initiative group or publicly endorsed Kambolov’s candidacy.
According to local reports, Kambolov was present during the July 7 assembly of the initiative group that “unanimously” endorsed his candidacy and thanked the group members for the support.
The de facto election administration will run the registration of the candidates until August 24.
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