Following an inconclusive first round on August 25th, Georgia’s largely unrecognised breakaway republic of Abkhazia held a presidential election run-off on the 8th of September. The second round was between incumbent de facto president Raul Khajimba and Alkhas Kvitsinia, a war veteran.
The Result
Raul Khajimba won a slim victory with 47.38% (39, 741) of the votes while Alkhas Kvitsinia garnered 46.99% (38, 742), according to results published by Apsny press, Abkhazia’s press agency.
Controversies
Aside from condemnation from the international community, the election was marred by internal controversy. Since Khajimba did not receive 50% majority in the vote, opposition members have cited that, legally, a new election should be held.
Fresh Elections?
Kvitsinia and his supporters held a rally two days after the elections to protest the result. Kvitsinia’s Amtsakhara party said, in a statement: “We declare that we will not allow Khajimba to obtain power through dirty methods and illegal ways. We will pursue, by all possible and acceptable methods, including protests involving thousands of people, the reversal of the Central Election Commission’s decision and the adoption of a legal constitutional decision by the highest legislative body.”
Khajimba rejected calls for fresh elections, urging the opposition to consider working with him to move the country forward. He tolda gathering of his supporters: “The election has taken place, its results are obvious, the situation should be peacefully accepted, the possibility of joint work should be considered, and efforts should be taken to continue the country’s development.”
The de facto Central Election Commission rejected Kvitsinia’s appeal to annul the results. He has, however, moved his appeal to the court.
Russia’s President Vladamir Putin congratulated Khajimba on his re-election. In a statement published by Apsny press, President Putin pledged continued support for Abkhazia. He said: “I hope that your activities as president will continue to contribute [to] strengthening Russian-Abkhaz relations based on the principles of alliance and strategic partnership. Russia will continue to render friendly assistance to Abkhazia in the full resolution of the tasks of socio-economic development and national security.”
The election has done nothing to ease the worsening rivalry between Russia and Georgia. Russia recognises the independence of Abkhazia despite calls from Georgia and the United Nations to annul its recognition. Georgia and most UN countries refer to Abkhazia as Russian-occupied territory, owing to the presence of Russian forces in the region. Georgia insists that Russia denounce its recognition of the region and withdraw its troops before relations can be normalised.
