Kambolov Declared ‘Winner’ of Occupied Tskhinvali ‘Election’ as Georgia, West Reject Vote
Marat Kambolov, a former Russian federal official who has served as South Ossetia’s acting leader, was the winner of the September 18 so-called “presidential election” in the Russian-controlled breakaway region of Georgia.
According to the de facto Central Election Commission, Kambolov received about 85 percent of the vote, with more than 32,000 people participating. His rivals received single-digit shares. Kambolov, who is originally from North Ossetia and only entered South Ossetia’s political leadership in May, was backed by several major political groups in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin Kambolov on his ‘election’, describing the result as evidence of strong support among voters and expressing hope that his tenure would strengthen relations between Moscow and Tskhinvali. Russia’s Foreign Ministry also welcomed the result and pledged continued cooperation with the region.
The vote has not been recognized by Georgia or the European Union. Georgia’s Foreign Ministry that the so-called “presidential election” held under Russian military control in the occupied Tskhinvali region cannot produce international legal consequences. The EU likewise the legal and constitutional basis of the vote and stated that its results have no legal force. The United Kingdom also the election. UK Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Lord Stewart Wood stated through the British Embassy in Tbilisi that attempts to further entrench Russian control over Georgia’s occupied regions undermine Georgian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Kambolov’s election follows the resignation of Alan Gagloev in June, after which Gagloev took up a position as an adviser to Putin and Kambolov became acting “president”. Kambolov had previously served as a senior Russian state official, including deputy education and science minister, before entering South Ossetia’s de facto government.
The result reinforces Moscow’s close political ties with Tskhinvali, while Georgia and its international partners continue to recognize the region as part of Georgia and reject Russia’s involvement in the territory.