Referendum in S. Ossetia on inclusion in Russia is planned for 2017
TSKHINVAL. May 26 (Interfax) - The political council of South Ossetia has recommended that the republic's President Leonid Tibilov consider it expedient to hold a referendum on the issue of including the republic into Russia in 2017, after the presidential elections.
"I make this decision. We see how our people feel and we will speak about the referendum mechanism, hold consultations with our ally," the president said.
Tibilov said a statement on the organization of a referendum in 2017 will be made jointly with Parliament Speaker Anatoly Bibilov on Thursday.
According to earlier reports, Tibilov suggested holding a referendum on changes to the Constitution. During the voting, voters will be offered to add to the Constitution the following paragraph: "On the basis of the results of the nationwide voting (referendum) of January 19, 1992, the president of the Republic of South Ossetia with the consent of the parliament has the right to ask the administration of the Russian Federation to include the Republic of South Ossetia into the Russian Federation, as a new region of the Russian Federation, and sign a relevant treaty with the Russian Federation."
The voting is expected to establish a clear procedure for South Ossetia to ask Russia for reunion and determines authorized bodies.
