Abkhazia's President Resigns Following Protests Over Russian Agreement

President Aslan Bzhania steps down amid unrest over a controversial economic deal with Russia, paving the way for early elections.

President Aslan Bzhania and Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab have resigned following intense protests against a Russian-Abkhazian economic agreement.
The protests were fueled by fears that the deal would allow Russian oligarchs to dominate Abkhazia's economy, threatening local businesses and raising living costs.
Demonstrators, who occupied the parliament building, demanded the annulment of the agreement and the resignation of the government.
Bzhania's resignation has opened the path for early elections, initially scheduled for spring 2025, though the exact timing remains uncertain.
Abkhazia, recognized by Russia but not internationally, has been a focal point of geopolitical tension since its separation from Georgia in the early 1990s.