The disputed South Ossetian Presidential election took another twist today as Alla Dzhioyeva, the opposition candidate who claimed victory in November’s annulled poll, announced that her inauguration as South Ossitian President would be held on 10 February. “I will assume office on February 10,” Dzhioyeva told reporters, adding that “I can’t tell you about the [...]
USSR successor
When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990’s, the nations who formed part of that Soviet Empire gradually reclaimed their independence. As such the notion of a USSR successor state is open to interpretation but it is generally recognised by the outside world that the Russian Federation has the best claim to that accolade [...]
Transnistria leader’s daughter in law barred from standing in Russian Duma election
In an odd piece of news, Marina Smirnova, a candidate for the A Just Russia party, has been barred from standing as a candidate in this year’s Russian Duma elections. The story is notable because Smirnova is the daughter in law of Igor Smirnov, the leader of Transnistria (the breakaway Moldovan republic that has, for [...]
Post-Soviet Elections Roundup
While everyone’s focus is on the Russian Duma elections (due in December 2011) and the Russian Presidential election (due in March 2012), I thought it might be interesting to take a look at some of the other election news from around the former Soviet Union. From what I can tell, there are elections taking place, [...]
Russia WTO entry – all but guaranteed
Russia’s World Trade Organisation entry has been all but guaranteed after the WTO’s Working Party on Russian membership agreed the precise rules and obligations that Russia will have to meet as a member of the global trading body. The news comes almost immediately after a customs and trade monitoring agreement between Russia and Georgia which [...]
Georgian blogger offered cash to write anti-Government blog post
Rumours have been swirling around runet for years about how some Russian political bloggers are being offered payment to write posts that are supportive of the Russian Government, or of a particular politician. There are similar rumours about blogging in China. Global Voices this weekend reports on a Georgian blogger, Yuri Yakunin who was reportedly [...]
Georgia beat Russia to top ENC rugby table
Georgia ran out comfortable winners in this weekend’s big European Nations Cup clash to top the table at the mid-way point.
European Nations Cup wins for Russia, Georgia and Spain
Week four of the 2011-2012 European Nations Cup saw wins for Russia, Georgia and, unexpectedly, Spain.
South African Farmers to Move to Georgia
If you’re Georgia, a poor post-Soviet state with an old-fashioned and inefficient farming industry, what do you do to perk things up a little bit? Why, you invite a bunch of South African farmers to move north and set up shop in the Caucasus.
Rugby: Georgia beat Russia 36:8
Georgia absolutely hammered Russia in the European Nations Cup Qualifier, running out easy 38:6 winners.