Poland has said it does not “recognize the legality” of presidential elections in Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia, adding that Warsaw opposes any actions that undermine the sovereignty of the South Caucasus country.
Elections were held in the pro-Russian region of Abkhazia on Saturday, with the region’s acting president, Badra Gunba, facing off against Adgur Ardzinba, leader of the opposition People's Party of Abkhazia.
Although both candidates have aligned themselves with Moscow, Gunba, who previously served as Abkhazia’s vice-president, is widely seen as the Kremlin’s preferred choice, as his opponent has been critical of some of the region’s pro-Russian policies.
Results show that Gunba secured approximately 46% of the vote, while Ardzinba received about 37%. Voter turnout stood at 69%, the BBC’s Russian service reported.
With neither candidate securing an outright majority, a second round is expected to be held by March 1.
Although both candidates have aligned themselves with Moscow, Gunba, who previously served as Abkhazia’s vice-president, is widely seen as the Kremlin’s preferred choice, as his opponent has been critical of some of the region’s pro-Russian policies.
Results show that Gunba secured approximately 46% of the vote, while Ardzinba received about 37%. Voter turnout stood at 69%, the BBC’s Russian service reported.
With neither candidate securing an outright majority, a second round is expected to be held by March 1.
Resignation after widespread protest
This weekend’s elections were called after the region’s president Aslan Bzhania stepped down in November 2024.
His resignation followed large-scale protests that had been sparked by a controversial investment deal which would have allowed wealthy Russians to buy property in Abkhazia.
Critics argued that the agreement, which was ultimately rejected by the breakaway state’s parliament, was an attempt by Russia to further cement its economic control over the region.
Ardzinba had opposed the deal.
Poland, EU back Georgia’s sovereignty
Abkhazia broke from Georgia's control in a war which followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, during which hundreds of thousands of ethnic Georgians fled the region.
In 2008, separatist forces took part in Russia’s attack on Georgia, driving Tbilisi’s soldiers out of the region, and that year Moscow formally recognized Abkhazia’s independence. Georgia regards the region, as well as another breakaway region, South Ossetia, as territories occupied by Russia.
The vast majority of countries say that Abkhazia is legally part of Georgia. However, in effect, Georgia’s central government has little impact on goings on in the breakaway territory.
On Sunday, the Polish Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “Poland does not recognize the legality of the so-called presidential elections held by the separatist authorities in Sukhumi in the Georgian region of Abkhazia on February 15, 2025.”
It added that “Poland does not recognize any actions undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, including the so-called presidential elections.”
The European Union also reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, saying that it “does not recognize the legal and constitutional framework” under which the presidential elections were held in Abkhazia.❗️ Poland does not recognise the legality of the so-called presidential election held in the Georgian region of Abkhazia by the separatist authorities in Sokhumi on 15 February 2025. ⤵️https://t.co/9XBvzF9peC
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇵🇱 (@PolandMFA) February 16, 2025
The central government in Tbilisi, which itself has been accused of harbouring pro-Russian sentiments, also condemned the vote, saying it “grossly violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.”
It also called for international condemnation of Moscow’s continuous violation of “Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
More In Politics MORE...
