Week in the Caucasus: review of main events of August 2-8, 2021

Anti-COVID measures imposed by the authorities in Southern Russia; reappointment of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia; preparation for the September elections in Southern Russia; new successes of athletes from the Caucasus and Southern Russia at the Tokyo Olympic Games, – see the review of these and other events in the Caucasus during the week of August 2-8, 2021, prepared by the “Caucasian Knot”.

Anti-COVID measures imposed by authorities in Southern Russia

Karachay-Cherkessia joined the number of Russian regions which imposed mandatory vaccination. The “Rospotrebnadzor” (Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare) obliged all employees of the budgetary sphere, the service sector, and the public sector to be vaccinated by September 7. Mandatory vaccination of employees in a number of spheres has already been introduced in Chechnya, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, the Krasnodar Territory, and the Rostov Region. On August 3, the authorities of the Rostov Region tightened the rules for visiting cafes, restaurants, and gyms: now people may go there only if they have a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19, a certificate of a past illness, or a negative COVID-19 test. The Astrakhan Region lifted some of the restrictions. On August 7, the regional authorities allowed opening non-food shops, cafes and restaurants, theatres, cinemas, swimming pools, and libraries. However, only people who have a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19, a certificate of a past illness, or a negative COVID-19 test may enter the above listed places.

Reappointment of Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister of Armenia

On August 2, the first meeting of the newly elected Armenian parliament was held in Yerevan. The “Civil Contract” faction, which constitutes the majority at the parliament, nominated Nikol Pashinyan for the post of Prime Minister. The “Hayastan” (Armenia) and “I have the Honour” blocs nominated two MPs currently under arrest for the post of the vice-speaker. After law enforcers refused to bring the MPs to the parliamentary hall, the opposition left the parliament meeting. The President of Armenia signed a decree appointing Nikol Pashinyan as the chair of the Cabinet of Ministers. Members of the “Armenia” opposition bloc came to the parliament meeting wearing T-shirts with images of arrested community leaders accused of violations. Let us remind you that the agreement on early June parliamentary elections was reached after several months of protests organized by the opposition, dissatisfied with the defeat of Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Preparation for September elections in Southern Russia

On August 4, in Russia, election commissions finished accepting documents from candidates wishing to participate in the elections of members of the State Duma of Russia. The elections will be held on September 17-19. At the same time, direct elections are to be held for the heads of nine constituent entities of the Russian Federation (in three more regions, they will be elected by members of legislative assemblies) and 39 regional parliaments. There are already pronounced decisions with regard to registration of some candidates. In the Krasnodar Territory, Alexander Korovainy, a member of the Yeisk District Council, complained about the police due to the fact that he was late for the meeting of the election commission, where he was supposed to be registered as a candidate, because he was summoned to the police department. An administrative protocol has been drawn up against Alexander Korovainy for a video posted in January in support of oppositionist Alexei Navalny. The activist described the case as an attempt to prevent him from running for election. In the Stavropol Territory, campaigning is underway mainly in large cities, and the outcome of the elections is predictable, say analysts interviewed by the “Caucasian Knot”. Residents of the Stavropol Territory claim they expect MPs to pay attention to environmental problems, infrastructure, and low salaries and pensions.

New successes of athletes from Caucasus and Southern Russia at Tokyo Olympic Games

On August 8, the Olympic Games in Tokyo ended. During the last week of the competitions, athletes from Southern Russia and the countries of Southern Caucasus demonstrated good results, and some of them also won gold medals. On August 3, Musa Yevloev, a native of Ingushetia, defeated Armenian wrestler Arthur Aleksanyan at the Greco-Roman wrestling tournament in the weight category up to 97 kg and was awarded the gold medal. On August 4, Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze won the gold medal: he set three world records in the weight category over 109 kg. On August 5, boxer Albert Batyrgaziev won the gold medal in the weight category up to 57 kg, like freestyle wrestler Zaur Uguev, who also competes in the weight category up to 57 kg. Both athletes are natives of Dagestan. On August 6, Zaurbek Sidakov, a native of Beslan, a freestyle wrestler in the weight category up to 74 kg, won the gold medal. On August 7, Vlada Chigiryova, who competes for the Rostov Region, became the gold medallist as a member of the synchronized swimming team. Maria Lasitskene from Kabardino-Balkaria also won the gold medal in the high jump. Another winner of the Olympic Games in Tokyo was Dagestani freestyle wrestler Abdulrashid Sadulaev in the weight category up to 97 kg.