Advertisement

Updated March 22nd, 2020 at 16:45 IST

Georgia’s breakaway republic of Abkhazia votes for president

Khadzhimba initially denounced the move as a coup attempt, but submitted his resignation “for the sake of peace and stability.” He acted after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide, Vladislav Surkov, arrived in the capital, Sukhumi, to help mediate the conflict.

| Image:self
Advertisement

The breakaway Georgian republic of Abkhazia is holding a presidential election Sunday to replace the leader who stepped down in January under pressure from the opposition.Raul Khadzhimba resigned as president in January, days after demonstrators seized his office to protest alleged violations in September’s election in which Khadzhimba won a second five-year term.

Khadzhimba initially denounced the move as a coup attempt, but submitted his resignation “for the sake of peace and stability.” He acted after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide, Vladislav Surkov, arrived in the capital, Sukhumi, to help mediate the conflict.With a population of about 250,000, Abkhazia is recognized as a sovereign state only by Russia and a handful of other countries.

Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s as the Soviet Union collapsed. The last of Georgia’s troops were driven out in a brief 2008 war with Russia, and Moscow has tightened its control over the lush Black Sea province and a second breakaway Georgian region, South Ossetia.The region’s parliament named prime minister Valery Bganba as caretaker president.Three candidates are on the ballot, with opposition leader Aslan Bzhania seen as the likely winner.

(Image credit: AP) 

Advertisement

Published March 22nd, 2020 at 16:45 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

2000 note
a few seconds ago
Erode MDMK MP Ganeshamurthi, 77, Dies in Hospital After Alleged Suicide Attempt At House
a few seconds ago
Chandrakant Pandit and Gautam Gambhir
5 minutes ago
Eknath Shinde
9 minutes ago
High-net-worth women show a nuanced approach to wealth with interest in alternative investments and cautious risk tolerance.
14 minutes ago
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
24 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo