Following the collapse of the Soviet Union the former Soviet Autonomous Oblast which unilaterally elevated its status to Republic in 1990 and declared its independence from Georgia in 1991. This early South Ossetia did not have a proper Executive branch of government, with the leader being the chairman of the Presidium of the South Ossetian Supreme Council, a role akin to speaker. Kulumbegov ruled as the first chairman starting in December 1990.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the former Soviet Autonomous Oblast, which had declared its independence from Georgia in 1991 and raised its status to a Republic in 1990, lacked an official Executive branch. The leader was the chairman of the Presidium of the South Ossetian Supreme Council, akin to a speaker. Kulumbegov became the first chairman starting in December 1990.