Residents of Karachay-Cherkessia hope new head to prevent the republic from becoming "hot spot"

Residents of the republic complain about numerous problems that have covered the region and hope that the new head of the region Rashid Temrezov will make every effort to address them.

People of various ages and social layers of Karachay-Cherkessia are dissatisfied with unemployment, corruption, high public utility tariffs, low salaries in the budget sphere, lack of work towards spiritual and moral education of children and youth, lack of access to proper-quality health care and other issues.

As reported earlier by the "Caucasian Knot", today the National Assembly of Karachay-Cherkessia has approved Rashid Temrezov in the post of the head of the republic. Temrezov's candidacy was brought to the Parliament by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. 70 MPs unanimously supported the nomination.

Inal Gashokov, Deputy Chairman of the Duma of the city of Cherkessk, outlined the main problems, which, in his opinion, should be in focus of attention to the new head Rashid Temrezov. "These are, above all, economic problems. We need to raise production and solve unemployment problems by creating new jobs," said the expert.

According to his story, if Rashid Temrezov belongs to the team of Mustafa Batdyev, former president of the republic (from August 2003 to September 2008, - note of the "Caucasian Knot"), as written in the media, then, it is a professional and competent team. "It was Mustafa Batdyev, who began attracting investments into tourist facilities of the republic," said Inal Gashokov.

He highlighted interethnic relations in the republic as another top priority.

Besides, the expert drew attention to the issue of freedom of speech in the republic. "We have, unfortunately, no independent press. Many problems are silenced," concluded Inal Gashokov.

Dzhamilya Karasova, a resident of the city of Cherkessk and Head of Sales of the LLC "Bumfa Group", noted the republic had accumulated a great deal of problems. "Earlier, with all our problems, we could at least boast of peace and friendship between our nations; however, now it's not the case," she said.

She is also extremely concerned about the spiritual and moral education of the youth. Apart of the above problems, Ms Karasova drew attention to poor accessibility of high-quality health care.

Elvira Katchieva, another resident of the capital and editor-in-chief of the advertising magazine "Etalon", believes that in the first place the new head of the republic Rashid Temrezov should pay attention to social problems. "There should be no citizens in the republic, receiving salary below the minimum subsistence level," said Elvira Katchieva. "Most important is that we preserve peace and calmness. Our republic should not turn into one of 'hot spots'. I hope the new leadership understands how to prevent it."

Aminat Lepshokova, a resident of the village of Schastlivoe, Prikubanskiy District, and a housewife, hopes that the new leadership will pay attention to the countryside problems. "If the city gives chance to find employment, it's very difficult in the village," she said.

She complained that their village had no kindergarten. Besides, Aminat Lepshokova believes that the authorities should pay more attention to health services for rural residents. In her view, Rashid Temrezov must also "deal with corruption."