Bagapsh, Khajimba Strike Deal

Sergey Bagapsh announced late on December 5 that a presidential inauguration will not take place on December 6 after he agreed with his opponent Raul Khajimba to hold repeat elections in which Bagapsh will run as the presidential candidate and Khajimba as for Vice-President.

?If we win the elections, the difference between the powers of the President and Vice-President will be very slight. We will be actually equal,? Itar-Tass news agency reported quoting Sergey Bagapsh as saying late on December 5.

The agreement was made possible as a result of late night negotiations between Khajimba and Bagapsh, which were also attended by Russian Deputy General Prosecutor Vladimir Kolesnikov and Abkhaz Prime Minister Nodar Khashba.

?As a result of these consultations we will sign an agreement today according to which we [Bagapsh and Khajimba] will participate in the new elections as a one team,? Interfax news agency reported quoting Sergey Bagapsh as saying early on December 6.

Earlier, similar talks between the presidential contenders were also held, but overnight consultations on December 4-5 resulted in no breakthrough in the crisis. After the talks Sergey Bagapsh announced that he was still planning to hold his presidential inauguration on December 6.

However, as a result of the recent agreement, no presidential inauguration will be held and new elections will be conducted, supposedly by the end of December.