The South Ossetian administration under President Anatoly Bibilov outlined plans to finish preparations for a referendum on joining the Russian Federation in May or June. An exact date for the vote had not been announced yet.
Yury Vazagov, who leads the information and analytics department within the administration, told RIA Novosti that the preparation period would require about two months. He explained that signatures must be gathered to regulate the testamentary process, after which a draft decree would be submitted to the Supreme Court for review. Once these steps are completed, an information campaign could begin to inform the public.
Vazagov also noted that tentative dates may be considered for May and June, and he suggested that the preparation timeline could be completed under those conditions.
“I have never been to Georgia”
In remarks reported by TASS, President Bibilov said that discussions about holding a referendum with the Russian President Vladimir Putin had not yet occurred. He added that he has not spoken directly with Putin, and that consultations are conducted at various levels. There is no longer a need to name specific individuals or positions, according to the Ossetian leader.
Bibilov emphasized that Tskhinvali monitors Russia’s reaction and is confident that Moscow shares the view that a referendum would address a divided populace while ensuring South Ossetia’s long-term security.
The president asserted that South Ossetia has never been part of Georgia. He remarked with a geographic explanation: while both North Ossetia and South Ossetia exist, South Ossetia lies north of Georgia, and North Ossetia lies south of Russia. He argued that, geographically and historically, South Ossetia is distinct from Georgia, a point used to reinforce his stance against accession to Georgia.
Bibilov recalled that in the 1930s many intellectuals wished to return to the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, and he cited a student movement from the 1950s advocating a reunion with the Republic of the Russian Union. He argued that the populace should resist any pressure to shift away from Russia and that the people must decide to live as neighbors rather than merge with Georgia, even if promises of tourism and development are offered.
one more try
South Ossetia declared independence in May 1992, and a concurrent referendum recorded an overwhelming 99.89 percent vote in favor of joining Russia. Moscow subsequently recognized the sovereignty of South Ossetia and Abkhazia following the 2008 war with Georgia, though Tbilisi has not recognized the independence of these regions.
In 2017, shortly before presidential elections, South Ossetia announced plans for a new referendum on joining the Russian Federation, but the vote was postponed. On March 30, Bibilov announced a fresh push for a plebiscite with the question, Do you support the unification of the Republic of South Ossetia and Russia? The president also stated that South Ossetia hopes to unite with North Ossetia if this union with Russia occurs.
Presidential elections in South Ossetia are scheduled for April 10, with the president serving a five-year term if reelected.