Spartak Zhidkov, Abkhazia. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
In early spring, the situation in Abkhazia suddenly became tense. The opposition had prepared its demarche for a long time. The reason was the increase in prices for electricity, which was officially planned in September 2012. Prices grew from 30 to 60 kopeks – it is tenfold lower than in Europe and fourfold lower than in Russia.
In the 1990s, Abkhazian pensions fluctuated from $1 to $2, salaries of common bureaucrats – from $10 to $15, today an average salary is $150-200. At the same time, prices are growing as well. Growing of electricity prices caused a negative reaction because of concerns about rejection of social policy. Using dissatisfaction of the population, the opposition organized three meetings in Sukhumi where they presented numerous demands to President.
A formal reason for the protest was the statement by the head of the state company Chernomorenergo, Rezo Zantaria, that prices were increased for finding resources for increasing salaries of the company’s employees. It is should be noted that Abkhazian energy producers have reached significant success in recent times. After the end of Georgian-Abkhazian war the republic’s regions were often left without light for long hours and even days. Abkhazia has no gas transmission lines and central heating, everything depends on electricity. In winter power systems often broke down, and whole streets and even towns fell into darkness and cold. Last two winters such practice was very rare. At the same time, energy companies began to show dissatisfaction and threaten people with mass dismissals. The government of Leonid Lakerbai agreed for price increasing, i.e. President and Premier gave trumps to the opposition.
No more than a hundred people gathered for the first meeting; the second demonstration was attended by 1500-1700 people. The main demand of protesting people was not price decreasing, but dismissal of Lakerbai and composing a coalition government. This demand was presented by the leaders of the opposition Frond of National Unity in autumn 2011.
Ankvab doesn’t want to share his power with somebody else after his success in the presidential and parliamentary elections. Moreover, other initiatives of the meeting’s participants (shifting to a parliamentary republic and so on) deprive President of his power and turn Abkhazia into a different state. Such reforms are usually conducted by a ruling party and not because of an opposition’s demand. Considering the fact the meeting was small, Ankvab had an opportunity to ignore it personally. However, President came to people and faced his political rivals.
The discussion negatively impressed everybody. The protesting people behaved aggressively and insulted President, so he immediately refused from signing an order on Lakerbai’s dismissal. The majority of Abkhazian population supported President’s deed, as he calmly continued the dialogue in such a tense atmosphere. Ankvab took a big risk, but he won from moral point of view.
President stated on readiness to reconsider the decision on doubling prices, considering recommendation of the parliamentary working group which stated that the growth of prices shouldn’t surpass 15-20% a year. Leonid Lakerbai refused to resign, and President decided to increase prices not to 60, but 40 kopeks per kW. Ahead of the meetings Ankvab stated on increase of salaries of teachers, doctors, culture workers, and sporting workers by 70%, which is significant for Abkhazia.
The Western and Georgian mass media considered Ankvab’s decision a concession, but in fact President confirmed that he considered people’s opinion and gained new supporters.
To be continued
