Residents of South Ossetia evaluated the recent presidential elections.

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The only candidate for the presidency of South Ossetia, according to local residents, who was noticeable during the election campaign is Marat Kambolov. One of the achievements mentioned is the solution to the problem of huge traffic jams at the border with Russia. They went to the elections also because of the lottery being held.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", among the main problems in South Ossetia, local residents named the outflow of population, low salaries, traffic jams at customs, lack of jobs, difficulties in obtaining loans, and the operation of public transport before the presidential elections.

Residents of South Ossetia interviewed on September 20 by a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" noted positive changes in the operation of the checkpoint at the border with Russia; they consider the elimination of the problem of multi-kilometer traffic jams at customs the main result of Marat Kambolov's work. The survey is not representative and reflects only the private opinions of the respondents.

A huge part of my life has passed in these traffic jams.

Ibrahim works in a state security enterprise and, during breaks between shifts, engages in private transportation between Tskhinval and Vladikavkaz. He says that only solving the customs issue brought Kambolov a lot of support from the people. "A huge part of my life has passed in these traffic jams. You never know when you will reach your destination, what problems your passengers have. They are nervous, and I was nervous... I can't even name five people among my acquaintances who don't need to go to Vladikavkaz for business at least once a month. And we all stood for hours in traffic jams. But for the last 2 months, we have breathed a sigh of relief, truly breathed a sigh of relief. I hope they will solve the other problems like this too," Ibrahim stated.

He noted that he did not follow the election campaign and does not know about the candidates' promises. "We have seen many elections and candidates; I personally will not believe a word. If a candidate does something concrete, God bless him, thank him. But I no longer believe in words," Ibrahim said.

Elena is 38 years old, has four children, and her eldest daughter will graduate from school next year. She noted that she looks at what is happening and evaluates what it will be like for her children to live here. "I think about what would be better for my daughter: to go study in Russia or stay here? Honestly, I am afraid to let her go to Moscow or any other city. Such things are happening everywhere now; it is very unsafe. Is it better to stay here?" she reflects.

Now there are indeed results; for example, there are no more traffic jams at customs.

Elena believes that for a graduate of the South Ossetian State University, finding a job here is no harder than for a graduate of a university in Russia. Or maybe even easier. "I don't know what could make our youth return. I don't see any prospects for this yet, although a lot is being done and promised lately. But now there are indeed results; for example, there are no more traffic jams at customs," Elena says.

She calls these elections the most predictable but not boring. "There have been many events over these months; I can't keep up with everything. The children are constantly at some events. Of course, I enjoy this. We didn't go anywhere to rest this summer, but my children didn't get bored," Elena shared.

Of course, we need to create jobs, but these "entertainment attractions" are also very good for us.

Madina is a cosmetologist, 51 years old. She calls the issue of returning people, especially youth, very complex and, at first glance, unsolvable. However, she says, this does not mean that we should not at least start with something. "Everyone criticizes the plans to build a water park and other entertainment places... They say, for whom is this if we have nowhere to earn? I believe that if we create a 'first matrix' where people will feel good, they will start creating jobs themselves and will look for opportunities to stay. This is basic psychology. Of course, we need to create jobs, but these 'entertainment attractions' are also very good for us," Madina believes.

She says she did not specifically seek information about the candidates and their programs, and there was no real election campaign. Therefore, it was difficult to make a decision. "The candidates, except for Kambolov, are not very clear to me; rather, it was clear that they were technical candidates. But Kambolov is also not clear enough to me," Madina says.

I think all the candidates, except for Kambolov, did not even try to win.

Atsamazu is 30 years old, and he admits that he went to vote because of the chance to participate in the lottery and win a car. "I think all the candidates, except for Kambolov, did not even try to win. If you compare it with other elections, when candidates went door to door, met with groups, now, except for Kambolov, no one was visible. So why even go to the elections?" he wonders.

Atsamaz admitted that he did not see the candidates' programs and does not know about their promises. "The main thing I will note is that there are no more traffic jams at customs. I want everything to work like this. It means that problems can be solved. But no one talks about another problem; I want Kambolov to be asked about this too. What will happen to customs duties? This year, the prices for customs duties on cars have risen, and next year they will rise again. If they really want to raise prices like in Russia, no one here will be able to afford a used foreign car, only Russian cars," Atsamaz shared his concerns.

To solve the demographic issue and return the youth, Atsamaz also suggests that the government should put less pressure on people so that those who want to do business or develop their own affairs can do so. "If the government does not give you a job, you have nowhere else to go. This is wrong. Why should I depend on someone?" he says.

Lera is 24 years old, a teacher, and she also says that she is not familiar with the program of any of the candidates. "I never got around to watching the debates. But from the very beginning, since May, everything was clear. Now it seems that only a blind, deaf, and mute person would not understand why all this was done and how everything will go on. I agree that contests and lotteries are very cool. A lot of money was spent. It means there was money before and still is, money that could have been spent on the republic and not brought it to such a situation," Lera says, joking that if there is no lottery in the next elections like now, no one will go to vote anymore.

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