TBILISI, Georgia — On Tuesday, the parliament of Abkhazia, a disputed region of Georgia, voted against a controversial bill that would have granted special privileges to Russian investors. This legislative decision followed several days of protests, which ultimately resulted in the resignation of Aslan Bzhania, the region’s self-proclaimed president.

The unrest began when demonstrators stormed government offices to voice their opposition against the proposed legislation, which would permit Russian investors to purchase property in the picturesque Black Sea territory. Conceding to the pressure, Bzhania stepped down as part of an agreement to quell the protests, with his vice president, Badra Gunba, taking over as acting leader until a presidential election is expected to take place in February.

Abkhazia has functioned as a self-declared independent state since separating from Georgia following a conflict in the early 1990s. In the wake of a brief war between Russia and Georgia in 2008, Moscow officially recognized Abkhazia’s independence, alongside that of another breakaway region, South Ossetia. Both of these regions have benefited from Russian financial support and military presence; however, many local residents have demonstrated hesitance towards granting Russian investors greater access to their land and resources.

The region’s scenic landscapes, including mountainous terrain and attractive Black Sea coastlines, have made it a favored choice for many Russian tourists, leading to a high demand for vacation properties. Lawmaker Daut Khutaba, who was in favor of the bill, stated, “While making this decision, we mostly thought about our citizens,” highlighting the focus on local interests.

In response to the Abkhaz parliament’s decision, Konstantin Zatulin, a member of Russia’s State Duma, warned that this action might result in a deterioration of relations between Abkhazia and Russia, emphasizing the significance of the legislative outcome on future interactions.