Abkhaz MPs Endorse Increased Powers for Vice-President

The Parliament of the unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia approved a law defining the powers of the Vice-President of Abkhazia, the news agency Regnum reported on December 27.
 
But the law will be enforced only in the event that Sergey Bagapsh is elected President of the breakaway region and Raul Khajimba the Vice-President.
 
According to the law, the Vice-President will be in charge of the defense and security structures of the unrecognized republic, as well as foreign policy.

The Vice-President is entitled to reccoment candidates for the position of Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, Interior Minister, Chairman of the State Security Service and Chairman of the State Customs Committee to the President. 
 
The law was made possible as a result of a powersharing agreement signed by the former presidential rivals Sergey Bagapsh and Raul Khajimba in early December.