Analysts on elections in South Ossetia

Parliamentary elections are going to be held in South Ossetia on June 8th. Eight parties are going to take part in the campaign. In addition to them, some 34 lawmakers are going to be elected in accordance with the majority electoral system. Vestnik Kvakza discussed the coming polls with political analyst Sergey Mikheyev and Alexander Skakov, the coordinator of the working group of the Central Asia, Caucasus , Urals and Volga Region Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Oriental Studies.

Sergey Mikheyev believes that the campaign is quite predictable and calm, in contrast to the events that unfolded during the last presidential polls.  According to the expert, "this means that the political system is much more mature now and that the people understand that internal instability is beneficial only to those who oppose the republic's independence. Moreover, such tensions cause problems for Russia as well, while Russia is the only guarantor of South Ossetia's statehood. This campaign is much more calm. A number of small parties failed to take part in the elections. I believe this is a good thing. Four parties have a good chance of entering parliament. They are the Unity Party, the United Ossetia Party, the People's Unity Party and the Communist Party. The Nykhas party also has a chance of being represented in the new parliament. I believe the chances of the other parties are quite poor. I suppose that political intrigues and attempts to imitate an ideological struggle in such small countries are a bad tradition. It should be avoided. Such tensions are dangerous for the republic itself and spoil its international reputation, which is very important since South Ossetia is struggling for international recognition of its statehood."

Alexander Skakov also believes the elections will proceed in a calm atmosphere. "I think the elections will be organized well, that there will be no fraud. The elections in South Ossetia are monitored by observers from all parties. I believe that in Tskhinvali, where the majority of the Ossetian people live, everything will be all right. In smaller population centres the situation may be a bit worse. Simply because the number of people living there is uncertain due to constant migrations. Moreover, in small settlements people often behave in accordance with their personal views and preferences and may sometimes violate legal procedures. These people believe in only one idea, the idea that South Ossetia should be Russia's closest ally or even a part of Russia. They all orient towards Russia. That is why I believe there will be serious tensions in the parliament. I guess the more acute problem is who will become the new parliamentary speaker. In fact, that is what they are all talking about. There are several possible candidates. The question is which party will win the majority of votes. I believe the only possible problem is a low turnout. I can hardly think of any other possible problem," he says.