The leader of Georgia’s self-declared breakaway region of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania has resigned following widespread protests against an investment deal, which opponents claim would increase Russian influence.
Demonstrators in the region’s central city of Sukhumi stormed government buildings last Friday, forcing Bzhania to flee and plunging the self-declared parastate into political turmoil.
Protesters occupying government buildings have been given until Tuesday to leave the premises under the terms of a deal negotiated between the Moscow-appointed government and the opposition.
Bzhania has warned that he will retract his resignation if the protesters do not comply with the agreement. He also made his participation in the upcoming elections a condition for his resignation.
The PM of the region Alexander Ankvab has also confirmed that he will leave office alongside Bzhania.
Following the resignations, Bzhania’s deputy, Badra Gunba, will assume the role of acting president, while former parliamentary speaker Valery Bganba will take over as interim prime minister.
- Protesters in Georgia occupy Abkhazia’s regional parliament
The unrest was sparked by opposition to a “property agreement” between Abkhazia and Russia, which would allow Russian companies to invest in the region. The deal was due to be discussed in parliament on Friday.
Opponents of the agreement argue that it would inflate property prices and increase Moscow’s influence in the region.
Georgia lost control of Abkhazia in the short war following Russia’s invasion in 2008.
Russia recognises Abkhazia as an independent country, but the international community does not. The region of about 245,000 people is believed to be a client state of Moscow.
