Menu
Latest
Menu
Latest
Commentary

Alexander Ankvab wins presidential elections in Abkhazia

27 August 2011

RIA Novosti reports that Acting Abkhazian president Alexander Ankvab has won the presidential elections receiving 54.86% of votes, quoting Batal Tabagua, the head of Abkhazia's Central Election Committee.

"Alexander Zolotinskovich (Ankvab) was elected president, he received 54.86% of votes," Tabagua said. Therefore, there will be no second round of voting, as the candidate has to get 50% plus one vote to win the elections.According to Tabagua, Prime Minister Sergei Shamba got the second place with 21.04% of votes, while opposition leader Raul Khadzhimba became third with 19.83% of votes.

Voter turnout amounted to 71.92%.

Abkhazia ceceded from Georgia in 1993 and is only recognised as an independent country by Russia and a handful of other marginal countries.

Ankvab, 58 was a career Interior Ministry official who served as prime minister during the first presidential term of the second Abkhaz President, Sergei Bagapsh  (2005-09) and since then as vice president. Radio Liberty describes him as "Dour, humorless, and sarcastic", but adds that "Ankvab is nonetheless respected for his zero tolerance of crime and corruption. That single-mindedness is the most likely reason why he has been the target of no fewer than four assassination attempts in the past six years".

Commonspace.eu political editor writes that Ankvab's elections represents continuity and is unlikely to result in any major change in the way the self declared replublic is administered, nor in its all important relationsn with Moscow. His election also indicates continued concerns amongst residents of Abkhazia about the future, despite Russian support and reassurances.

photo: courtesy of RIA Novosti

source: commonspace.eu with reports from RIA Novosti and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Aden under curfew, as problem in Yemen's south deepens
Trending

Aden under curfew, as problem in Yemen's south deepens

8 January 2026
The port city of Aden, in Yemen's south, has been put under curfew, as the rift in the country between  the Saudi led coalition which  backs Yemen's presidential governing council, and the southern forces led by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), deepens. Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Yemeni Presidential Governing Council and commander of the al-Amalik brigades, has ordered a curfew in the temporary capital, Aden, "to maintain security". "A curfew has been imposed throughout Aden Governorate from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., in accordance with the instructions of Commander Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Presidential Management Council," the statement said. It states that only security and military personnel, as well as medical and technical teams with approved permits, will be allowed to move in the area during these hours. Yemen's presidential council, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and which already is in a struggle with the Houthi Movement in the north of the country who also occupy the capital Sanaa, two days ago issued an order for the arrest of the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC),, Aidarous al Zubaidi. The STC have wide support among people in the South, and advocate that South Yemen restores its independence. The coalition warned of further escalation in Aden, long regarded as an STC stronghold, as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chief accused STC leader Aidarous Al Zubaidi of “high treason” and announced the revocation of his membership in the governing body. The moves mark a sharp escalation in tensions within the anti-Houthi camp, despite National Shield Forces, rivals of the STC and former allies, having recently retaken control of Hadhramaut and Mahra from southern fighters. The STC’s takeover of the two regions last month angered Saudi Arabia and contributed to igniting the current internal conflict. (click the picture to read more)

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Aden under curfew, as problem in Yemen's south deepens
Trending

Aden under curfew, as problem in Yemen's south deepens

8 January 2026
The port city of Aden, in Yemen's south, has been put under curfew, as the rift in the country between  the Saudi led coalition which  backs Yemen's presidential governing council, and the southern forces led by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), deepens. Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Yemeni Presidential Governing Council and commander of the al-Amalik brigades, has ordered a curfew in the temporary capital, Aden, "to maintain security". "A curfew has been imposed throughout Aden Governorate from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., in accordance with the instructions of Commander Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Presidential Management Council," the statement said. It states that only security and military personnel, as well as medical and technical teams with approved permits, will be allowed to move in the area during these hours. Yemen's presidential council, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and which already is in a struggle with the Houthi Movement in the north of the country who also occupy the capital Sanaa, two days ago issued an order for the arrest of the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC),, Aidarous al Zubaidi. The STC have wide support among people in the South, and advocate that South Yemen restores its independence. The coalition warned of further escalation in Aden, long regarded as an STC stronghold, as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chief accused STC leader Aidarous Al Zubaidi of “high treason” and announced the revocation of his membership in the governing body. The moves mark a sharp escalation in tensions within the anti-Houthi camp, despite National Shield Forces, rivals of the STC and former allies, having recently retaken control of Hadhramaut and Mahra from southern fighters. The STC’s takeover of the two regions last month angered Saudi Arabia and contributed to igniting the current internal conflict. (click the picture to read more)