Abkhazian opposition under the flags of Russia called for the resignation of the government: Bzhaniya refused

Protests in Sukhum are still taking place within the framework of the constitution

There were two rallies in Sukhum today. Those who disagree with the policy of the current authorities gathered on the square near the drama theater. And supporters of the President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhaniya came out to the Makhadzhirov embankment to the Presidential Administration. Not as many people came as the opposition expected. But the resolution with radical demands was nevertheless adopted.

Bringing an “alternative” rally to the street is a tried and tested political technique, but it does not always work. For every Maidan there is an anti-Maidan, even Yanukovych had it. If the people have reached the boiling point, then this will not help. But the situation in Abkhazia is not like that yet. The opposition rally, according to eyewitnesses, turned out to be not very large-scale. Some local resources even estimated the number of people gathered at a thousand people. Characteristically, they came out with not only Abkhazian, but also Russian flags.

Nevertheless, the authorities are clearly worried, and this is understandable. After all, she herself came as a result of mass riots, and she remembers well how she managed to overthrow Alexander Ankvab on June 1, 2014 in the same way. Therefore, security measures were taken: a cordon was set up around government buildings, police cars, trucks of the Ministry of Defense, and buses were parked. The complex was surrounded by an iron fence with barbed wire.

As MK already wrote, the rally was organized by several opposition parties and movements: the Forum of National Unity of Abkhazia (FNEA), the Aruaa veteran public organization, the Abkhaz People’s Movement, the Apsny party, the Unity public organization and others. They set out their demands in the final resolution, which was adopted at the rally and then handed over to the president. They demanded from Aslan Bzhaniya: 1. Immediately dismiss the current government 2. Create a Presidential Reform Council. 3. Repeal the order to liberalize trade with Georgia. 4. Cancel the government’s decision to increase electricity tariffs. 5. To revoke the Agreement on the transfer of the Pitsunda state dacha to the ownership of the Russian Federation. 6. Abandon plans to submit to the Parliament a draft law “On regulation of the legal status of apart-hotels and apartments”. 7. Abandon plans to privatize the energy system with private capital. 8. Provide guarantees that the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia on the recognition and enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards in economic cases will not be sent to the Parliament for ratification. 9. Establish an expert commission to develop an urban planning code for Sukhum, taking into account the prevention of building up the historical part of the capital of Abkhazia with objects that violate the architectural ensemble of the city.

In general, the requirements are understandable and fair, and I would subscribe to many of them myself. And the latter, I think, would be signed with both hands by the inhabitants of most Russian cities, whose historical appearance today is mercilessly mutilated by greedy developers.

The president immediately rejected the demand for the resignation of the government. As for everything else, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shamba informed that the mentioned bills and agreements would be considered by the parliament, and the deputies elected by the people would decide their fate themselves. Shamba also said that work on the development of an urban planning code is already underway. Aslan Bzhaniya refused to go out to the protesters.

At the time of writing this material, the reaction of the opposition rally to the president’s decisions was still unclear.