EU Declares Elections in South Ossetia “Illegitimate”

By Meredith Lee-Clark
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TSKHINVALI, South Ossetia—The European Union has called the May 31 elections in South Ossetia “illegitimate,” and has stated that the EU will not recognize the results.  Eduard Kokoity, leader of the pro-Russian party, Yedinstvo (Unity), received nearly sixty percent of the vote, according to an early count.

South Ossetia was the site of intense fighting between Russian and Georgian forces during August 2008.  After the fighting ceased, South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia, and Russia recognized South Ossetia as an independent republic, as well as Abkhazia, another separatist region in the Georgian Republic.  The majority of nations consider South Ossetia a part of Georgia, while Russia and Nicaragua have recognized the region as an independent nation.

Prior to the election, critics called for an election boycott, stating that Kokoity sought a landslide victory in order to secure his hold on power, and ultimately unite the region with North Ossetia, which lies in the Russian Federation.  Critics also cited evidence that Kokoity, a former Russian wrestling champion, stifled dissent and intimidated political rivals.  Although four parties initially vied for the thirty-four parliamentary seats, the election commission barred participation by the two parties that did not support Kokoity.  Approximately 50,000 South Ossetians were eligible to vote, and Russian authorities set up voting stations inside Russia for expatriates and those who fled the August 2008 hostilities.

The Georgian minister of reintegration, Temuri Yakovashbili, echoed the EU’s sentiments, saying that few Georgians or ethnic Ossetians are left in the region after the August 2008 fighting.
One correspondent in South Ossetia said that the election results would increase the tension between Russia and Georgia.  “South Ossetia is basically propped up by Russia,” says Matthew Colin, a journalist for Al Jazeera, “It is a tiny area that could only ever survive with Russian military, economic, and political support… The question is…will the tensions around the border area erupt again into violence.”

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – EU Condemns S Ossetia elections – 1 June 2009

Associated Press – EU calls South Ossetia elections “illegitimate” – 1 June 2009

TIME – South Ossetia’s No-Hope Elections – 1 June 2009

New York Times – South Ossetians Elect Parliament – 31 May 2009

Voice of America – Longtime Separatist Leader Ahead in South Ossetia Election – 31 May 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive