Abkhaz Opposition Slams Bagapsh Ahead of Polls

A group of Abkhaz opposition MP candidates have unleashed criticism of Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh for interfering in their election campaign and hence violating election code of the unrecognized republic, Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported on February 26.

19 opposition MP candidates running in the breakaway Abkhaz parliamentary elections scheduled for March 4 argue that Sergey Bagapsh intervened in the election campaign by criticizing several opposition MP candidates during a televised Q&A session on February 23.

During the televised press conference Bagapsh accused one of the opposition MP candidates Vladimir Arshba of masterminding a coup.  Arshba is an opposition MP candidate running in one of Sokhumi?s single-mandate constituencies, and is also former chief of staff of the Abkhaz armed forces.

Bagapsh?s news conference was a clear attempt to manipulate voters? opinions ahead of polls by launching a smear campaign against the opposition.

A total of 117 candidates will be running for 35 seats in the Abkhaz Parliament during the March 4 elections. Elections will be held based on the majoritarian system in 35 single-mandate constituencies.

Georgian media sources are reporting that the upcoming elections are marked by confrontation between supporters of Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh and Vice-President of the breakaway region Raul Khajimba ? old rivals who contested for the presidency in 2004 elections. A power-sharing agreement between the two men in December 2004 put an end to a two-month standoff that was triggered after the disputed presidential elections. In public statements both Bagapsh and Khajimba always deny any confrontation.

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