Parliamentary Debates in Abkhazia

Parliamentary Debates in Abkhazia

The pre-election campaign for the parliamentary elections to be held Abkhazia in 2004 has begun. At the end of January, parliamentary debates were held in Sukhumi, because of the crisis in the legislative and executive branches of government, which nearly paralyzed the Abkhazian government. The disagreement centered around the decree issued by  the president of Abkhazia on the liquidation of the state company “Abkhazles”, that was to serve as the basis for establishing a state forestry committee. Because of this, all the members (11) of Gulripshi District Council went on strike to show their distrust in the head of the administration, T. Gogia. The strikers pointed to the fact that Gogia appointment to the position had been a violation of current legislation. The political council of the movement “Aitara” called on President Ardzinba to make sure that presidential elections are conducted fairly, in a manner consistant with the constitution of the republic and with internationally recognized legal regulations, so that people are able to choose their future leader themselves. “When the government is appointing itself in the name of the people, there’s no peace or stability in our society”.

V. Tarnava, a member of the Abkhazian Parliament, criticized the president. He also stated that a new law on parliamentary and presidential elections must be passed in order to ensure a non-violent change in government.

The social-political movement “Amtsakhara” had a proposal holding pre-term presidential elections because of the president’s illness. M. Kishmaria, the leader of the movement, suggested to all the social-political movements and parties in Abkhazia that despite the existing disagreement between them they should agree to run a polite pre-election campaign and refrain from mudslinging, attack ads, lies, and calumny, which had traditionally never been used during campaigns by the Abkhaz people.

Batal Kobakhia noted that “during this pre-election campaign we must keep within the legal framework”.

Marina Bartsits concluded the discussion by saying, “The parliament must have a stabilizing role. We must keep the succession of the government. It is necessary to create legal basis and traditions for the work of the future parliament. Strength of the people is in its unity and though we are in different parties – we are together, we are united. That’s why it is necessary to carry on a dialogue in order to find a way out”.

The parliamentary debates showed that the Abkhaz people are ready for a democratic transformation, including developing solutions to important social-political issues not by force, but through dialogue.

The level of civil self-awareness is being gradually raised in Abkhazia. This offers hope that the upcoming presidential elections in Abkhazia will be as transparent and democratic as possible.