2025 Abkhazian presidential election explained

Country:	Abkhazia
Election Date:	15 February 2025
Previous Year:	2020
Previous Election:	2020 Abkhazian presidential election
Before Election:	Badra Gunba (acting)
Before Party:	Independent
President

Presidential elections will be held in the Republic of Abkhazia on 15 February 2025^[1] following the 2024 Abkhazian protests.^[2] The protests resulted in the resignation of Aslan Bzhania as president of Abkhazia.^{[3] [4]}

Background

The election was called after president Aslan Bzhania resigned in November 2024 due to protests against an agreement allowing wealthy Russians to purchase property in Abkhazia. He was replaced on an acting basis by his vice president, Badra Gunba. On 28 November 2024, the People's Assembly of Abkhazia announced that new presidential elections would be held on 15 February 2025, with the winner to be inaugurated within the next 30 days of the results being declared. Assembly speaker Lasha Ashuba has estimated that the election would cost up to 25 million rubles ($227,300).^[1]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Abkhazia Sets February Presidential Election After Mass Protests . 2024-11-28 . The Moscow Times.
2. Web site: Actions of Abkhazian opposition harm the republic, lawmaker says . 2024-11-19 . TASS.
3. Web site: Presidential election in Abkhazia to be held within legal period — president . 2024-11-19 . TASS.
4. Web site: 2024-11-19 . Leader of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia resigns after protest deal . 2024-11-19 . France 24 . en.