Council of Elders Recognizes Bagapsh’s Victory

The Council of Elders of Abkhazia has recognized the victory of opposition candidate Sergey Bagapsh in the October 3 presidential elections, Apsnypress reported on November 23, quoting Chairman of the Council Pavel Adzinba.

“The candidate who won the elections must become the President of Abkhazia, while the candidate who also gained many votes should work in the President’s team,” he added.

The Council of Elders is a public organization which cannot influence the results of the elections and simply gives recommendations.  

Meanwhile, both candidates are holding strong to their positions regarding the results of October 3 election.  Sergey Bagapsh, the opposition candidate, asserts that the election results, which gave him a clear victory in the race, are valid and is planning an inauguration ceremony for December 6.  However, Raul Khajimba, who is supported by the Kremlin and the republic’s outgoing President, claims that the election was flawed and that a republic-wide revote must occur, as was decreed by the President of the breakaway republic.

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