An initiative group of oppositionists and public figures in the de facto Republic of Abkhazia has called for constitutional reform. The aforementioned “reform manifesto” was published on local Telegram channels.
“The 1994 Constitution of the Republic of Abkhazia was adopted during a difficult period for the country and allowed us to go through this period with dignity. However, reality has changed. Our basic law no longer responds to the challenges facing modern Abkhazia and requires urgent correction,” the Telegram channel writes.
The “reform manifesto” discusses the following points:
Consolidation of the mixed (proportional) electoral system for parliamentary elections;
Redistribution of powers between the branches of government in order to transition to a mixed (parliamentary-presidential) form of government, where the parliament has a key role in shaping and controlling the activities of the government;
Strengthen the independence of the judiciary by reforming the procedure for forming the judiciary, which determines the implementation of this principle;
Implement the reform of local public authorities by establishing a procedure for electing heads of district and city administrations;
Create an independent public television with a board formed from authoritative and impartial representatives of society.
“The presidential elections will not bring the necessary results to our country without constitutional reforms,” writes the Telegram channel.
According to the legislation of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia, the People’s Assembly must announce the date of new elections no later than 15 days after the president’s resignation. The Central Election Commission of the de facto republic announced this.
As for the vote, it must be held within three months after the termination of power.
The de facto republic’s commission noted that without Bzhania’s early resignation, “due to the expiration of his five-year presidential term, elections for the head of state would have been held from January 23 to March 23, 2025.”
The de facto parliament of Abkhazia approved Bzhania’s resignation.
The de facto vice-president, Badra Gunba, will assume the duties of the de facto president.
Related story: Abkhazia’s de facto parliament approves Bzhania’s resignation
