Georgian Separatist Region Holds Elections
“Abkhaz Officials Announce Preliminary Poll Results”
By: RFE/RL
March 5, 2007
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Despite lacking international recognition, legislative elections were held in the Georgian separatist region Abkhazia in a move that Abkhaz officials describe as “another step toward building a democratic, independent state.”  The March 4, 2007, contests were condemned by the Georgian government; additionally, many members of the international community, including the US, Ukraine, and the EU, have stated that they do not recognize the elections as legitimate.

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Moghaideli lambasted the elections, calling them “not only illegal, but also immoral;” however, he reiterated the government’s proposition for peace talks and substantial autonomy for Abkhazia in turn for a resolution of the conflict.  A statement by EU officials said “that before any polls can be considered valid in Abkhazia, all refugees and internationally displaced persons must be given ‘the right to a safe, secure and dignified return to their homes.’” Abkhazia’s declaration of independence from Georgia in 1992 sparked a war “that left thousands dead and forced hundreds of thousands of Georgians to flee the Black Sea region.” The EU also stated that they support Georgia’s “internationally recognized borders.”

The status of Abkhazia is ambiguous: although Georgian troops withdrew from the region and a ceasefire was signed in 1994, it is not officially recognized by any country as an independent state.  However, Abkhazia is supported by Russia, which still has peacekeepers stationed in the region despite Georgia’s pledge to resolve the conflict diplomatically. 

Both Abkhaz and Russian officials described the elections as democratic and, so far, the contests have given seats to both parties supportive of the Abkhaz president, Sergei Bagapsh, and also to opposition candidates; all candidates, however, support Abkhaz independence.  Only 18 of the total 35 seats were decided in the recent elections and runoffs for the remaining seats will be held in two weeks. 

Other sources:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L05217312.htm
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070306/61651750.html

Questions:

CCD is interested in the opinion of our readers, especially on unfolding events in our field.  The Georgian separatist region Abkhazia recently held elections deemed illegitimate by the international community because it is not a recognized state. This raises questions about the place of democratic elections in illegitimate states.  What do you think?

1. Can a country that is considered illegitimate in the eyes of the international community hold legitimate, democratic elections?
2. Were Abkhazia’s parliamentary elections little more than a symbolic move of a separatist region that wants independence?
3. How can Abkhazia and Georgia work together to come to a peaceful resolution to their conflict? Will Abkhazia’s elections only further inflame tensions?