Leonid Tibilov

In a move towards integration with the Russian Federation, 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". In April 2016, Tibilov said he intended to hold the referendum before August of that year. However, on 30 May, Tibilov postponed the referendum until after the presidential election due in April 2017. At the name-change referendum, nearly 80 percent of those who voted endorsed the name-change, while the presidential race was won by Anatoliy Bibilov — against the incumbent, Tibilov, who had been supported by Moscow and who, unlike Bibilov, was ready to heed Moscow′s wish for the integration referendum not be held any time soon.

Before the 2012 election Tibilov distanced himself from the outgoing President Kokoity. Tibilov is reported to be loyal to Russia and pledged to consult Russia before appointing a government if he was successful at the election.

In the first round of the 2012 Presidential election, Tibilov received 42.5% of the vote to lead David Sanakoyev. In the second round, Tibilov was elected president with 54% of the vote.

Leonid Tibilov headed the South Ossetian KGB from 1992 to 1998. He was then a first deputy prime minister and co-chaired a Georgian-Ossetian peacekeeping commission. Tibilov stood at the 2006 presidential election losing to Eduard Kokoity, who won 98% of the vote.

Leonid Tibilov (Ossetian: Тыбылты Харитъоны фырт Леонид , Tybylty Xarithony fyrt Leonid; Russian: Леонид Харитонович Тибилов , Leonid Kharitonovich Tibilov; Georgian: ლეონიდ თიბილოვი , Leonid Tibilovi; born 28 March 1951 in Verkhny Dvan, Znaur district) is a South Ossetian politician who served as the President of South Ossetia from 2012 to 2017 after winning the 2012 South Ossetian presidential election.