Kremlin-favored candidate Badra Gunba won the presidential runoff in Abkhazia, a Russian-backed breakaway region that legally is a part of Georgia, de facto election authorities said on March 2.
Gunba, 47, failed to secure an outright majority in the first round on February 15, forcing the runoff against Adgur Ardzinba, a challenger critical of some Russian-backed economic policies.
Authorities said Gunba won almost 55 percent of the vote, while Ardzinba received 41.5 percent, and 2 percent voted against all, although there was no way to confirm the authenticity of the figures.
Turnout was reported at 70 percent.
SEE ALSO: Kremlin-Favored Candidate Faces Runoff in Georgia's AbkhaziaIn the first round, Gunba won 46.3 percent, while Ardzinba finished with 36.9 percent.
Gunba, who previously served as vice president, took over as acting leader on November 19 after Aslan Bzhania resigned amid mass protests against an investment deal with Russia. Opponents feared the agreement threatened Abkhazia's already fragile status under Russian control.
Ardzinba, a former de facto economy minister (2015–20) and leader of the Abkhaz People's Movement, ran on a platform opposing the deal, though he still pledged close ties with Moscow. Russian pro-government media attempted to frame him as "pro-Turkish."
The investment agreement aimed to strengthen economic ties between the breakaway region and Russia but was met with widespread opposition.
Critics, including opposition figures and civil society groups, labeled the deal "exploitative," claiming it would give undue advantages to Russian investors while undermining Abkhazia’s sovereignty. The deal was later rejected by the region's de facto legislature.
Georgia's Foreign Ministry has denounced the "so-called presidential elections in Russian-occupied Abkhazia," urging international condemnation of Moscow's ongoing violations.
The EU reiterated its support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty in a statement following the first round, saying it does not recognize the constitutional and legal framework in which the "so-called presidential elections in Abkhazia" took place.
"The European Union recalls its firm support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders," a statement said.
SEE ALSO: Georgia's Abkhazia Lawmakers Reject 'Enslaving' Investment Deal With RussiaThe Georgian government on March 1 stated that the "illegally" held election "contradicts fundamental principles of international law and represents another gross violation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders."
Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia's rule after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. While Russia recognized Abkhazia's independence after the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, most international community still views the region as part of Georgia.
Though the territory is politically and economically dependent on Russia, some Abkhazians have been critical of what they see as Moscow's growing influence.
Moscow welcomed Gunba's candidacy and his eventual victory.
Just days before the first round, on February 7, Russia carried out a test flight from Moscow Vnukovo Airport to the long-defunct Sukhumi Babushara Airport, bringing Gunba amid passengers and pledging to establish regular air connections later this year.
Gunba met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak. To bolster his position, Moscow announced the resumption of financial aid -- suspended since September -- and increased electricity supplies amid severe shortages.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Gunba following the election, according to the Kremlin press service.
"I expect that the friendly, allied Russian-Abkhazian relations will continue to strengthen for the benefit of our brotherly nations," a statement read.