Local experts: Ankvab will hardly run for presidency at early election in Abkhazia

The early presidential election scheduled for August 24 in Abkhazia has brought some intrigue into the issue of who will represent the contesting groups in the race. Local experts agree that Alexander Ankvab will not take part in it.

The journalist Izida Chaniya does not rule out that Ankvab may support one of the candidates. Her colleague Inal Khashig believes that Ankvab's supporters will find it extremely difficult to select their candidate. According to Raul Khajimba, so far it is unknown whether the opposition will nominate their united candidate; the issue is now discussed at consultations.

Izida Chaniya, the editor-in-chief of the "Wanted Newspaper" published in Abkhazia, believes that Alexander Ankvab and Leonid Lakerbaya will not run for the post, since they have completely compromised themselves by their activities and position during the nationwide gathering.

Speaking about a united candidate from the Coordination Council of the Opposition, Inal Khashig has noted that Abkhazian opposition in rather motley and includes some ambitious leaders; therefore they will hardly nominate a united candidate.

In Khashig's estimate, now the best chance of winning the election belongs to Raul Khajimba, the leader of the "Forum of National Unity of Abkhazia", but it is not clear whether the situation will survive by the voting day.

As reported by Nugzar Ashuba, the Secretary of the Republic's Security Council, the election campaign will start seven days after announcement.

See earlier reports: "Alexander Ankvab hands seal of Abkhazian President over to Valery Bganba", "Alexander Ankvab denies reports about resignation of government, General Prosecutor and heads of districts of Abkhazia", "President of Abkhazia upholds dismissal of CoM, General Public Prosecutor and heads of two districts".