SUKHUM, November 25. /TASS/. Former President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania believes that even as the recent developments in the republic which forced him and the prime minister to step down have inflicted reputational damage on it, the situation there has not reached the point of no return.
On November 15, the government complex in Sukhum was occupied by the Abkhazian opposition. Earlier, Bzhania described the opposition’s actions as a coup.
"I view the developments [of the past two weeks] as a string of events that did a major reputational damage to our country," the ex-president told TASS in an interview as he described the standoff as unwarranted. "Fortunately though, the situation has not reached the point of no return as compromise decisions were made at talks," he added.
According to Bzhania, fresh presidential election would somehow resolve the differences. "Elections are the measure of truth. The outcome of the voting will show whom the population, the citizens support. Certain differences will be resolved, but problems will certainly remain. They will have to be addressed," he said.
On November 19, the lawmakers accepted the president’s resignation; Badra Gunba assumed office as the Interim President on the same day. On November 20, Gunba accepted Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab’s resignation and appointed Bganba as the Acting Prime Minister.
While the parliament has yet to set the date of an early election, by law, it must be held no later than February 19, 2025.