Abkhazian Elections

Abkhazia is an area of Georgia (the one on the Black Sea). I and the wife went there on a long weekend once, flying down form Moscow. No one had told us it was still a war zone, no electricity or lighting, food minimal. In fact, as far as I remember, the economy was based on smuggling mandarins into Russia. We had a great time, of course. Anyway, in this week's Economist:

Georgia's separatist Abkhazia region is to hold new elections, after a controversial vote on October 3rd saw the main pro-Moscow candidate come second. Voters are expected to get it right next time around.

Good Grief! I mean who do these people think they are? The EU having a referendum?