Abkhazia saw the start of electoral campaigning today, Interfax reports.
The Central Electoral Commission has registered the following
candidates for the post of president: Vice-President Alexander Ankvab,
Prime Minister Sergey Shamba, Chairman of the Forum of People's Unity
Party Raul Hajimba, chairman of the CEC of Abkhazia Batal Tapagua
said.
Russia was initially supporting Shamba, an activist for indepedent
Abkhazia in the 1970s and former KGB agent. Ankvab was a businessman.
Apsnypress says that Acting President Ankvab and Prime Minister Shamba
need to go on vacation for campaigning. Abkhaz Speaker of Parliament
Nugzar Ashubu will be the acting president.
Yuga.ru said that Abkhazia will see early elections on August 26, due
to the death of President Sergey Bagapsh.
