Abkhazia Seeks Financial Aid from Russia Amidst Economic Strain
The Abkhazian government is currently facing significant financial challenges, with Acting Prime Minister Valery Bganba confirming that they have not yet received a response from Russia regarding their request to unfreeze financial aid. On December 9, a formal letter was sent to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, addressing urgent issues related to co-financing salaries and social payments. Bganba noted that while there may be some informal contacts between Abkhazia's acting president, Badry Gunba, and the Russian administration, there has been no official communication with the Russian government or the co-chair of the Russian-Abkhaz intergovernmental commission.
Since September, Russia has suspended all social payments to Abkhazia, with the exception of pensions, leading to a critical shortage of funds for public sector salaries, including those for security agencies and law enforcement. The Abkhaz Finance Ministry has struggled to meet these financial obligations, prompting Bganba to appeal for the resumption of financial support from Russia.
Legislative Changes in Abkhazia
In addition to financial woes, the Abkhaz parliament has recently adopted amendments to the citizenship law, which now requires prospective citizens to pass a language test in Abkhaz. Deputy Dmitry Marshania emphasized that this requirement aims to ensure that new citizens can read the oath of citizenship, reflecting a push towards greater integration of the Abkhaz language in public life.
Power Supply Crisis in Abkhazia
Compounding these issues, Abkhazia is currently experiencing a power supply crisis following an emergency shutdown of the Inguri hydroelectric power station. Due to critical water levels in the reservoir, the station's output has been significantly reduced, leading to a new electricity supply schedule that allows for only limited power availability. Chernomorenergo, the local energy provider, has stated that the maximum capacity has dropped from 160 MW to 90 MW, necessitating a rationing of electricity supply to ensure stability during this challenging period.
