Pro-Kremlin candidate claims winning Abkhazia’s runoff election

Following the second round of Abkhazia’s de facto presidential election, Kremlin-backed candidate Badra Gunba declared victory based on preliminary results.

The so called runoff election was contested between Gunba, an ally of former de facto leader Aslan Bzhania, and main opposition candidate Adgur Ardzinba. Bzhania’s early resignation was preceded by opposition protests against an investment agreement with Russia, which they strongly opposed. During the protests, opposition supporters occupied government buildings and stormed the gates of the de facto parliament. In response, police forces used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.

“You are all aware of the preliminary results. This is the result of the trust our citizens have placed in us. This is not just a victory for Badra Gunba and Beslan Bigvava’s team; it should be a victory for the people of Abkhazia and the future of our country,” Gunba stated in an address to his supporters.

The first round of occupied Abkhazia’s de facto presidential election was held on February 15. According to the de facto election commission, Gunba received approximately 46% of the vote, while Ardzinba secured 37%. The remaining votes were split among three other candidates.