South Ossetia’s envoy to Russia discusses political changes

On Tuesday, South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity dismissed Prime Minister Aslanbek Bulatsev over health problems. A decree signed by the president says that due to the premier’s dismissal, the government’s powers have also been terminated.

Dmitry Medoyev, South Ossetia’s ambassador to Russia, commented on the political process.

Q. Dmitry Nikolayevich, please clarify the situation with the cabinet’s dismissal.

A. Political processes in South Ossetia, just as in any other country, are taking their normal course. The president of our republic, while being guided by the Constitution, made a decision to dismiss Prime Minister Aslanbek Bulatsev from his post due to his illness. This entails a constitutional act, so the cabinet is dismissed automatically. Nothing extraordinary happens, it’s just a political process. Statehood is being established.

Q. When will a new cabinet be formed?

A. A new makeup of the cabinet will be announced in the coming days, and the ministers will start working after the parliamentary session. South Ossetia recently elected its parliament. At its session the new parliament will approve the candidacy of the prime minister and new cabinet members of the republic of South Ossetia.

Q. What can you say about the former prime minister?

A. I know that the prime minister failed to start implementing his duties from the beginning. This was due to his illness, and our government and president were constantly waiting for Mr. Bulatsev to start working. The prime minister several times handed in his resignation, but the president would not accept it. It looks as though the time has come now to form a new cabinet.