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PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN ABKHAZIA: HOW TBILISI SEES IT
GHIA NODIA,
Chairman of the Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development, Tbilisi
The preparation for the presidential elections in Abkhazia and the nomination of Sergei Bagapsh for the presidency are important political events, but in Georgia they are of interest only to political analysts in terms of understanding the Abkhaz society’s attitudes.
Georgia does not seek to influence the elections in Abkhazia. Neither the Georgian authorities nor the opposition are seriously interested in the election campaign. Elections were also held in Abkhazia previously, and they were of no political interest.
It’s another matter that the elections will be held at a time when Abkhazia’s independence has been recognized by Russia. In Abkhazia there are politicians who are unhappy about Russia’s policy in the region. Some presidential candidates may criticize the Russian authorities.
Even this circumstance will not make Georgia be more politically active during the election campaign in Abkhazia. Open support of such a candidate would only harm him, and I doubt that a candidate can be supported unofficially.
Tbilisi does not welcome the fact that some countries directly interact with Abkhazia, so Georgia tries to block the interaction through the official channels. But Georgia realizes what it can do and what it can’t.
October 29, 2009
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