Bagapsh Rejects Re-Vote
Opposition Abkhaz presidential candidate Sergey Bagapsh reiterated that he is strongly against holding repeat presidential elections. ?Elections have been held and the president has already been elected,? he told RIA Novosti news agency on November 3.
Sergey Bagapsh, together with pro-governmental presidential candidate Raul Khajimba visited Moscow in an attempt to overcome the current crisis caused by the disputed October 3 presidential elections in the unrecognized republic.
The Central Election Commission announced Bagapsh president-elect with 50.08% of votes, however, Khajimba challenged the decision in the Supreme Court. The latter rejected Khajimba?s appeal on October 28 and, in turn, confirmed Bagapsh as president-elect. However, Khajimba?s supporters stormed the Supreme Court?s building and the court revised its decision and ruled to hold a re-vote. On October 29 outgoing President Vladislav Ardzinba ordered to hold repeat elections within two months.
Pro-governmental candidate Raul Khajimba, who also enjoys the support of the Kremlin, told Itar-Tass news agency on November 2 that the possibility of an agreement between the candidates exists; however, he did not specify more details.
?Together with Sergey Bagapsh, we have discussed possible ways out of the current crisis in Abkhazia. Moscow?s climate is better for finding a solution,? said Khajimba on November 2.
?I feel that options to overcoming the crisis exist. Everything depends on Sergey Bagapsh and me,? he added.
