SUKHUMI, December 11 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian ambassador to Abkhazia has said he has no doubts that the former Georgian republic, which will hold presidential elections on Saturday, will successfully "pass a democracy exam."
Although Abkhazia has been de facto independent since the early 1990s, the December 12 polls will be its first presidential elections since it was recognized as an independent state by Russia in August 2008.
Semyon Grigoryev said Russia is concerned with the Abkhaz upcoming polls "primarily, because with the recognition of Abkhazia's independence last August, our countries' and peoples' fortunes were twined together."
Abkhaz incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh, former deputy premier Raul Khadzhimba, businessman Beslan Butba, leader of the Party for Economic Development of Abkhazia, independent candidate Vitaly Bganba and director of the state-run Abkhaz Ocean Steam Navigation company Zaur Ardzinba are set to run in the elections.
The ambassador said it was important that the election "took place in a calm atmosphere" and "corresponded to universally recognized democratic standards."
In line with the republic's constitutional law on presidential elections, the elections are scheduled by the People's Assembly not later than four months before the end of the previous president's term, and are held not earlier than three and not later than two months before it.
Bagapsh took office on February 12, 2005.
