New Ossetia

Political party in South Ossetia

New Ossetia

Новая Осетия
ახალი ოსეთი

Leader| David Sanakoyev
Founded| 2012
Dissolved| 2018
Merged into| Nykhaz
Headquarters| Tskhinvali
Ideology| Anti-corruption
Government Reform
Russoskepticism
Political position| Centrism
Colours|

* Politics of South Ossetia
* Political parties
* Elections

New Ossetia was a minor political party that existed in the partially recognized Caucasian republic of South Ossetia following the 2012 South Ossetian presidential election to its merger into Nykhaz for the 2019 South Ossetian parliamentary election.

## History

[edit]

The party was founded by David Sanakoyev following his defeat in the 2012 South Ossetian presidential election to Leonid Tibilov, who would name him his foreign minister on May 30, 2012. The party's goal was to continue Sanakoyev's political message into the 2014 South Ossetian parliamentary election[1][2] Immediately, he tempered expectations for the party but laid out the party's platform as follows:[3]

* Forbid bureaucrats to be engaged in business activities
* Make heads of ministries and departments be made accountable to parliament
* Improve local government systems
* Direct elections for district administrators
* Strengthen the economy by creating an industrial base

Despite the party winning 6.27% of the vote in the 2014 election, they won zero seats.[4][5] Later in 2014 South Ossetia and Russia where in the process of drafting a treaty of cooperation, which in the original drafts included South Ossetia being annexed by Russia. New Ossetia and Sanakoyev leaked the original draft to Georgian media, and came out against Russian annexation, but clarified that the newer renditions of the treaty did not include the provision.[6][7] Sanakoyev would be removed from office following a vote of no confidence on March 13, 2015 officially for failing to attend two parliamentary sessions and would be removed from office on April 22, 2015, ending the party's representation in the government. Unofficially it was retaliation for leaking of the draft treaty to Georgian media. After this incident the party was labeled as "nationalist" and "pro-Georgian" by Valery Kaziyev, then head of the Communist Party of South Ossetia. In response to these accusations Sanakoyev sued Kaziyev for libel.[8]

The party was barred from participating in the 2019 South Ossetian parliamentary election in June 2018 due to an increase in bureaucratic hurdles for parties to re-register for every election.[9][10] Due to this, the party merged into Nykhaz which largely shared the same platform, and was joined shortly after by Alanian Union.[2][11][5]

## Election results

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Main article: 2014 South Ossetian parliamentary election

Party| Votes| %| Seats| +/–

|
|
|
|

| United Ossetia| 9,083| 44.97| 20| New
| Unity of the People| 2,790| 13.81| 6| New
| People's Party of South Ossetia| 1,915| 9.48| 4| –5
| Nykhaz| 1,574| 7.79| 4| New
| New Ossetia| 1,267| 6.27| 0| New
| Unity Party| 1,219| 6.04| 0| –17
| Communist Party of South Ossetia| 890| 4.41| 0| –8
| Homeland| 802| 3.97| 0| New
| Fatherland Socialist Party| 658| 3.26| 0| 0
Total| 20,198| 100.00| 34| 0
Valid votes| 20,198| 95.85|
Invalid/blank votes| 874| 4.15|
Total votes| 21,072| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 35,133| 59.98|
Source: RES

## References

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1. ^ "Tensions Rise In Georgia's Breakaway Regions". Eurasianet. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
2. ^ a b "Explainer: Elections in S.Ossetia". Civil Georgia. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
3. ^ "Ex-presidential candidate sets up new party in South Ossetia". TASS. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
4. ^ "Freedom in the World 2015 - South Ossetia". www.refworld.org. Freedom House. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
5. ^ a b Tarkhanova, Zhanna. "South Ossetia opposition unites around new leader, former KGB officer". jam-news.net. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
6. ^ "Political parties in South Ossetia are for maximum integration with Russia". State Information Agency. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
7. ^ Fuller, Liz. "'Integration' With Russia Rives South Ossetia's Political Scene". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
8. ^ Liz, Fuller. "Is South Ossetia Heading For Political Crisis?". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
9. ^ "Ruling party loses majority in South Ossetian parliament". OC Media. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
10. ^ "South Ossetia". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
11. ^ Tarkhanova, Zhanna. "South Ossetia elects new parliament on June 9 – who's running, what to know". jam-news.net. Retrieved 8 March 2023.