Opposition's attempts to initiate early elections in Abkhazia seek to destabilize country - Abkhaz presidential press service
SUKHUM. March 3 (Interfax) - Abkhaz opposition forces' initiative to hold a referendum on calling early presidential elections is designed to destabilize the situation in the country, the Abkhaz presidential press service said in a report published on Wednesday.
"The politicized actions are suggested to be dubious from a constitutional standpoint, objectively aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country. Representatives of the opposition are deliberately rejecting civilized dialogue, making their choice in favor of strengthening confrontation and instability in society," the press service said.
Abkhazia's President Raul Khadjimba "offered opposition representatives to switch from confrontation to constructive dialogue, which could help consolidate the political forces' goodwill for the benefit of the entire Abkhaz society," it said.
"A complex financial, economic and geopolitical situation has surrounded Abkhazia for the past year and a half," the press service said.
"Despite these objective difficulties, we have been building closer and more productive relations with Russia, as part of measures which, in particular, have already allowed us to seriously raise salaries and pensions in the republic. During recent negotiations between the presidents of Abkhazia and Russia, concrete results were reached, and linked with further raising of the standards of living for the citizens of Abkhazia," the press service said, adding that "the main task facing the president of Abkhazia remains the task of using the country's internal resources."
It was reported that on Tuesday, an action group of Abkhaz citizens who support the Opposition Forces Bloc, submitted a request to the local Central Election Commission calling for a referendum on early presidential elections in the republic "due to the existing critical social and political situation."
