Abkhazia Parliament Rejects Russia Investment Pact

The parliament of Abkhazia has voted against a controversial investment agreement with Russia, following widespread protests that led to the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania. The deal, signed in October, aimed to provide significant financial incentives to Russian investors but was criticized for potentially undermining local interests and enabling foreign economic domination. During the voting, no deputies supported the ratification, with only three abstaining. The protests began on November 15 when opposition members occupied the parliament, escalating into a national crisis that forced Bzhania to resign. While the Kremlin expressed hope for a quick normalization of the situation, the opposition remains concerned over the implications of the agreement for Abkhazia's sovereignty. Abkhazia, recognized by Russia as independent, is still claimed by Georgia under international law.