Abkhaz Leader Names Favorite Presidential Candidate

Abkhaz de facto President Vladislav Ardzinba, whose presidential term expires this year, said, in an interview with the local newspaper Abkhazian Republic, that he will support Abkhaz Prime Minister Raul Khajimba in the upcoming Presidential elections, scheduled in the breakaway region for October 3.

?For the past few of years I have been preparing a person who will be able to revive Abkhazia. Raul Khajimba is the right person. I will support his candidacy,? Vladislav Ardzinba said.

The Abkhazian election commission registered a total of four candidates running in the presidential elections:

1. Premier Raul Khajimba;
   
2. Vice-President Valeri Arshba;
   
3. Sergei Bagapsh, who leads the power company ChernoMorEnergo. The opposition movements Amtsakhara and United Abkhazia support his candidacy;
   
4. Aleksander Ankvabi, who leads the opposition Aitaira movement.