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South Ossetian president-elect expects Moscow’s sign for vote on joining Russia

Alan Gagloyev noted that every South Ossetian leader had always grasped that the republic’s closest integration with Russia was crucial for its development

TSKHINVAL, May 11. /TASS/. A referendum on South Ossetia’s accession to Russia may be held once Moscow makes it clear that the time has come, Alan Gagloyev, who won Sunday’s presidential election in South Ossetia, said in an interview with TASS.

"I would like to clarify that my position is as follows: it is not a unilateral process. Today, we can see that our strategic partner, the Russian Federation, is coping with geopolitical issues, conducting a special operation in Ukraine in order to eliminate neo-Nazi formations," he pointed out.

"We need to understand our strategic partner. As soon as there is a sign and there is understanding that the time has come, we will definitely hold a referendum," he added.

Gagloyev noted that every South Ossetian leader had always grasped that the republic’s closest integration with Russia was crucial for its development. "However, we understand that it’s not a unilateral process," he went on to say. "Not so long ago, [South Ossetia’s incumbent leader] Anatoly Bibilov announced plans for a referendum. For our part, we made our position clear. South Ossetia has held several votes, the people have given their opinion, but if there is a need for another referendum, we will certainly hold it," Gagloyev stressed.

Bibilov said on March 30 that the country would take legal steps to join Russia in the near future. On May 8, South Ossetia held its presidential runoff, which involved incumbent head of the republic Anatoly Bibilov and leader of the Nykhas party Alan Gagloyev. With 97% of ballots counted, Gagloyev is in the lead with 54.2% of the vote, while Bibilov has gained 43.3%.

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