Abkhazian presidential candidates determine their positions on urgent issues

On August 12, at the joint press conference in the city of Sukhumi, the Abkhazian presidential candidates determined their positions on the issue for republic's management system.

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" reported that on August 26 the early presidential election will be held in Abkhazia, appointed in connection with the death of the 63-year-old President Sergey Bagapsh. Three candidates claim for the highest position of the republic – Alexander Ankvab, Vice President, Raul Khadjimba, the opposition leader, and Sergey Shamba, Prime Minister.

Speaking of the management system in Abkhazia, Alexander Ankvab emphasized: "Yet several years ago I said that small Abkhazia had ponderous executive power. We should put changes in the legislation and this way only reduce positions of deputy prime ministers; the position of prime minister often duplicate the president's job; we don't need a vice president. However, nothing should be done at random. If 15 officials out of 25, employed at a ministry, do nothing, we should get rid of them or recruit new people, and if 10 officials, who work effectively, are enough, they should remain in their positions. And what is more suitable for us: parliamentary or presidential republic, – this is a topic for a special conversation."

Raul Khadjimba stated that he could partially agree with that, considering the fact that, in accordance with the Constitution, the president is the head of the executive power. "I don't think we need a vice president," he said.

In his turn, Sergey Shamba spoke out "against all rushes of that kind". "I believe that the main thing is to make the political system work effectively and harmoniously. This is important. And, regarding the reduction of positions, which was discussed here – in principle, of course, we can consider this issue, but not in this situation," said Sergey Shamba and continued: "Firstly, we should achieve the formation of democratic principles in our society, the good balance between the branches of power, and then we could consider reduction of the positions."