Only one candidate for the presidency of South Ossetia attended the debates on security issues.
Only one of the four candidates for the presidency of South Ossetia, Kazbek Kodoev, participated in the debates on security issues.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", in the second round of televised debates, only Kazbek Kodoev and Murat Valiev participated. The debates focused on the economic development of the republic, and both candidates specifically addressed the issue of agricultural development and the distribution of funds allocated by Russia. The Telegram channel "Bonvarnon" suggested that the acting president of South Ossetia, Marat Kambolov, did not attend the debates precisely because of the failed first round of televised debates due to technical reasons. After that, the head of the information and press committee of South Ossetia, Maria Kotaeva, published a text on her channel in defense of the television team and explained that they were not to blame. According to her, the television staff is not responsible for transmitting the signal to viewers' screens. A few days later, at a press conference, she clarified that the low quality of the broadcast was due to outdated equipment.
On August 29, the debates of the candidates for the presidency of South Ossetia were dedicated to social issues, but the quality of the broadcast was such that voters could not understand what was being discussed.
On the air of GTRK "Ir", the next debates of the candidates for the presidency of South Ossetia took place on the topic of "Security, National Ideology, and Foreign Policy". Only candidate Kazbek Kodoev spoke, reports IA "Res".
In his speech, he stated that the existing security architecture no longer works, and in conditions where international institutions are powerless, small states can only rely on the support of a strong ally, which for South Ossetia is Russia. He also emphasized the need to consistently defend the republic's positions on foreign policy platforms.
"It is very important to continue reminding the world of the impeccable legal and historical foundations of Ossetian statehood from the perspective of international law," Kodoev stated.
Kodoev emphasized modern challenges related to changes in combat tactics during the debates held on September 11.
"The role of unmanned aerial vehicles is increasing, so it is necessary to improve personnel training. It is also necessary to monitor and modernize the bunkers that we had during the Soviet period, because the geopolitical situation in the world is very tense," he noted.
The Vice President of South Ossetia, Marat Kambolov, attended a meeting with residents of North Ossetia today, where he also touched on the topic of security.
According to him, South Ossetia is not yet ready to open the border with Georgia for transit through the republic—neither morally nor in terms of the necessary regulatory framework.
"Economic benefit cannot be more important than the safety of people," his words are quoted by "Sputnik South Ossetia".
On June 23, Alan Gagloev resigned as president of South Ossetia after being appointed an advisor to Vladimir Putin, and the temporary execution of the duties of the head of the republic passed to the Prime Minister Marat Kambolov. The Parliament of South Ossetia on July 1 scheduled a vote for September 18. In July, Vladimir Putin publicly expressed support for Kambolov in the upcoming elections. Four candidates for the presidency of South Ossetia are registered – Marat Kambolov, Zurab Kokoev, Murat Valiev, and Kazbek Kodoev. Materials about the election campaign have been collected by "Caucasian Knot" on the page "Kambolov's Elections in South Ossetia".