Separatist Abkhazia's opposition outraged by President Bzhania's refusal to meet with concerned MPs in parliament

The de-facto president of Abkhazia did not show up for a scheduled meeting in parliament. Instead, he convened a meeting with his allies in a government conference room. Opposition-minded deputies were outraged by this.

Initially, legislative speaker Valeriy Kvarchia agreed with Aslan Bzhania that the president would visit the People's Assembly and answer several concerns raised by MPs.

On the day of the meeting, however, Aslan Bzhania did not arrive in the People's Assembly meeting room, instead opting to meet with deputies on "his" turf - in the Cabinet of Ministers' conference chamber.

As a result, only 12 of the president's 35 parliamentary MPs (out of a total of 35) attended the ceremony. Speaker Valery Kvarchia led the remainder of the parliamentary corps inside the parliament building.

They were perplexed why the conference chamber was chosen as the meeting location at the last minute, given that it was the deputies who invited the president to the meeting, not the other way around.

Meanwhile, Abkhazia's present tight ties between the president and parliament fit perfectly into the country's internal political climate.

The opposition called a rally for December 21 outside the presidential palace, during which it will most likely demand de-facto President Aslan Bzhania's resignation. The President chastised the protest organisers at a meeting with a portion of his loyal deputy corps.

However, officials are prepared to protect the government complex, which includes the presidential palace, since they are concerned about the opposition's plans. Metal constructions have already been delivered to the complex's courtyard. They will be used to fence off the whole quarter where the complex of government buildings is located on the eve of the demonstration.

Opposition rallies in breakaway Abkhazia

The de-facto opposition in Abkhazia demonstrated within a meter of a government building complex. Authorities are concerned that the protest would devolve into a presidential palace siege.

The government complex now appears to be an unassailable fortress. Metal barriers soldered to each other enclose the quarter adjacent to the facility. Furthermore, school buses and police cars obstruct the entrances to the property. A full security apparatus has been activated.

De-facto President Aslan Bzhania, according to the opposition, has aggravated the problem. He is now being held responsible for a year-long energy crisis, which has resulted in ongoing programmed power outages.

The opposition accuses President Bzhania of double standards in the areas of justice along with law and order, claiming that while he constantly protects members of his close circle, he persecutes members of the opposition.

Bzhania is also accused of abandoning the battle against the Covid-19 epidemic to its own devices, claiming that anti-pandemic measures exist on paper but that no one is implementing them.

On the day of the gathering, Aslan Bzhania urged people not to get provoked and to refrain from taking part in the opposition protest.

The de-facto president of Abkhazia and the opposition strike a temporary truce

After a day of street fighting on December 21, President Aslan Bzhania of separatist Abkhazia and the unified opposition were able to reach an accord. The President was given a list of criteria, which should be discussed in early 2022, right after the holidays.

Following the conclusion of discussions with the President, Adgur Ardzinba, the head of Abkhazia's opposition, told demonstrators of the conditions that must be met to reduce political tensions:

1. The parliamentary elections in March 2022 will be postponed for a year and held under a new mixed system.
2. Starting the process of developing a procedure for deposing the president.
3. The president's measures to eliminate the restriction on foreigners buying real estate in Abkhazia, as well as plans to denationalise the energy sector, have been put on hold.

The presidential palace has been stormed multiple times in Abkhazia's contemporary history. This is how current President Aslan Bzhania rose to power in early 2020.

Previously, power shifted twice – in 2004 and 2014 – by storming the government and ousting the president before the end of his tenure.

Only when the clock approached midnight the opposing parties were able to reach an agreement. After then, opposition supporters lifted the siege on the presidential residence and demanded that he step down.

President Aslan Bzhania and opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba held direct negotiations in the parliament building.

The tenure of Aslan Bzhania will conclude in April 2025.