Abkhazia: opposition demands govt's resignation

On February 28, a number of Abkhazian oppositional organizations held a protest rally in Sukhumi against increasing tariffs on power, during which they also moved a demand to dismiss the government.

The organizers and participants of the rally expressed the concern about "the current strained public-political situation in the society." The speakers criticized the actions of the authorities, who, in their words, "ignore the public opinion," the Agency "Apsnypress" reports.

The protesters said that the increase of the prices for bread and electricity tariffs under the low salaries (5-6 thousand Russian roubles per month) will result in still more impoverishment of a part of the population. They demanded to dismiss the government as failing to meet the people's expectations.

The president of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab came out to talk to the protesters. He admitted that the situation in the country is complicated; and there are many serious unsolved problems. However, it is impossible to solve them overnight. The head of Abkhazia said that the issue of increased electricity tariffs is studied by a parliamentary commission, the "RIA Novosti" reports.