2017 South Ossetian name change referendum
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A referendum on changing the territory's name was held in South Ossetia on 9 April 2017, alongside presidential elections.[1] It was approved by 79.53%. The constitution will be amended to denominate the formal name of the country from "Republic of South Ossetia" to "Republic of South Ossetia–the State of Alania", referencing Alania, a state built by the Alan people.[2] Modern Ossetians are descended from the Alans, although the name Ossetian is of Georgian origin (although the Georgian root word ოსი is itself from an Alanic autonym).[2]
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9 April 2017
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Do you agree with the amendment of part 1 of article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia, setting it out as follows:
The Republic of South Ossetia - the State of Alania - is a sovereign democratic legal state created as a result of the self-determination of the people of the Republic of South Ossetia. Names Republic South Ossetia and the State of Alania are equivalent. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
In a move towards integration with the Russian Federation, South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov proposed in December 2015 a name change to "South Ossetia–Alania", in analogy with "North Ossetia–Alania", a Russian federal subject. Tibilov furthermore suggested holding a referendum on joining the Russian Federation prior to April 2017, which would lead to a united "Ossetia–Alania".[3] In April 2016, Tibilov said he intended to hold the referendum before August of that year.[4][5] However, on 30 May, Tibilov postponed the referendum until after the presidential election due in April 2017.[6]
Results
| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | 25,123 | 79.53 | |
| Against | 6,466 | 20.47 | |
| Total | 31,589 | 100.00 | |
| Valid votes | 31,589 | 94.49 | |
| Invalid/blank votes | 1,842 | 5.51 | |
| Total votes | 33,431 | 100.00 | |
| Registered voters/turnout | 41,814 | 79.95 | |
| Source: South Osetia | |||