Sukhumi layout: how Abkhazia is preparing for presidential elections

A representative Russian delegation visited Abkhazia in late January and early February. Moscow and Sukhum discussed a number of promising projects, including the repair of the Adler checkpoint, the commissioning of the Sukhumi airport, the increase in tourist traffic, and the modernization of schools and hospitals. All this is taking place against the background of an active election campaign, the presidential elections will be held on February 15. "Izvestia" looked into the situation.

The Russian delegation traveled to Sukhum

In late January-early February a representative Russian delegation visited Abkhazia. During negotiations the parties discussed a number of bilateral projects. One of them concerns repair of the Adler checkpoint on the border between Russia and Abkhazia. It is known that Moscow has allocated 10 billion rubles for this purpose. As a result of the work the capacity of the border checkpoint will increase 9.5 times for transport and almost 3 times for people, the number of toilets and benches will also increase, modern navigation will appear.

The second important item on the agenda is the commissioning of the Sukhumi airport. It is expected that in February the air harbor will receive a test flight, and it should be fully operational by May 1. "There are no questions either from the Abkhazian or Russian side to the quality of work. The most important requirement now to builders and investors is deadlines," - said the head of the Russian delegation, first deputy head of the presidential administration Sergei Kirienko.

The third point is the increase of tourist flow to Abkhazia. According to Kirienko, the current holiday season may become a record-breaking one if the republic avoids political upheavals. "After the November events many tourists who wanted to go to the republic became more cautious. If now everything will be within the law, without attempts to solve issues by force, then everything will fall into place for tourists who dream of spending their summer vacation here," he said.

In addition, the parties discussed a number of humanitarian projects. Thus, representatives of the Russian delegation promised to help Abkhazian schools "to solve all priority problems". In addition, they talked about Russian assistance in renovation of Abkhazian memorials dedicated to the events of the Great Patriotic War, training of Abkhazian teachers and engineers in Russian universities. Finally, they discussed allocation of additional 200 million rubles for completion of the children's hospital in Sukhumi.

It is interesting that during the visit there was no discussion of supplies of Russian electricity to Abkhazia. At the same time the issue remains one of the most painful, the republic continues to have blackout schedules, blackouts reach six hours a day. Nevertheless, there are signals that this issue will be resolved in a positive way. Thus, the head of the company "Chernomorenergo" Timur Dzhinjolia reported that in the near future he will try to agree on additional volumes of overflow.

The Central Election Commission of the republic is preparing for voting

Presidential elections will be held in Abkhazia on February 15, the CEC has registered five candidates for participation in the electoral procedure. One of them is Badra Gunba, who was vice-president under the previous head of the republic Aslan Bzhania. Apparently, it is him whom Moscow would like to see as the new Abkhazian leader, at least Gunba was the only candidate with whom representatives of the Russian delegation met.

Among other candidates former Minister of Economy Adgur Ardzinba stands out. He is 43 years old, and during the political crisis last November, as one of the leaders of the opposition, he took an active part in removing Aslan Bzhania from power. There is a widespread opinion on social networks and among a number of experts that he is in favor of developing relations with Turkey, Turkish publication Harici wrote that if Ardzinba comes to power, Ankara's influence may increase.

According to social survey of the Russian center VTsIOM, one third of Abkhazian voters on February 15th will support Badra Gunba, 15% will support Adgur Ardzinba, rating of other candidates does not exceed 10%. If these data are correct, it turns out that a second round will be needed to determine the winner. Sociologists testify that 77% of the respondents know about the upcoming elections - they correctly named the date, month and year of the elections. The declared turnout is 69%, and 91% of respondents have a positive attitude to Russia.

Technical preparations for the upcoming vote are quite active in the republic. Thus, chairman of the Central Election Commission of Abkhazia Dmitry Marshan reported that a total of 135 thousand voters will be able to participate in the voting. On the territory of Abkhazia borders of 152 polling stations have been defined. The most attention will be paid to the high-mountain village of Pskhu, which in winter can be reached only by air, ballots will be delivered there by helicopter.

Three polling stations were initially supposed to be opened outside the republic - in Moscow, Cherkessk and the Turkish town of Sakarya. Later, however, it turned out that there were many people wishing to vote in Russia, so it was decided to open additional polling stations. At the same time the legislation of the republic prescribes that all relevant decisions should be taken at least a month before the voting day. It is expected that in the coming days the parliament of the republic may adjust this norm.

Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Abkhazia Dmitry Marshan also says that about 80 international observers from Russia, South Ossetia and Transnistria will work in the republic during the elections on February 15. It is known that the head of the Russian Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova will visit the republic as an international expert. "I hope that all registered presidential candidates are interested in ensuring the electoral rights of their compatriots," she said in a statement.

What experts say

Abkhazian political scientist Inal Khashig emphasizes that elections in the republic are traditionally competitive, the winner is difficult to predict in advance.

- Now the situation is the same, the future president is unlikely to be revealed in the first round. Moreover, there is a risk that the second round will not be enough for that. The fact is that one of the candidates will have to get more than half of the votes, that is, more than the second candidate, as well as the "against all" column. It is far from certain that it will be possible to do this. If the winner cannot be identified, new elections will be called and a new election campaign will begin. This, of course, would not be desirable, it is better to fill the political vacuum quickly," he says.

Caucasian expert, candidate of political sciences Artur Ataev says that all candidates for the presidency of Abkhazia adhere to pro-Russian sentiments.

- All candidates realize that Abkhazian statehood can be preserved only with stable strategic allied relations with Russia. In general, there are two political camps in the republic, two groups of elite, which periodically change places: someone is in power, someone goes into opposition. It is important that both groups have equally good relations with Russia. Now we see that Moscow has also started to pay more attention to the republic, which is also evidenced by the visit of a Russian delegation to Sukhumi," he says.