SUKHUM, May 31 /ITAR-TASS/. Abkhazia’s parliament has appointed speaker Valery Bganba as acting president and set early presidential elections for August 24, 2014.
A resolution to this effect was supported by 24 deputies with one abstainee on Saturday.
The Abkhazian Central Election Commission has been instructed to take measures for preparing the early elections.
The parliament approved a resolution “due to [President] Alexander Ankvab’s incapacity to exercise his powers, Vice-President Mikhail Logua’s intention to leave office and on the basis of the People’s Assembly resolution on a no-confidence vote in the prime minister of the Republic of Abkhazia in order to preserve national accord and stability”.
Ankvab disagrees with parliament resolution
Abkhazia’s President Alexander Ankvab has disagreed with the parliament’s resolution on a no-confidence vote to the government and his resignation.
“I categorically disagree. Such decisions cannot be taken under pressure and in terms of an ultimatum,” Ankvab said on Saturday. “Any proposals can be subject to talks,” he said.
“I’ve heard the requirements. But these are not the requirements by the majority of our citizens,” Ankvab said.
“The fate of the country, including of the president, cannot be decided at rallies with the participation of 2,000, 3,000 or 4,000 people. This is the matter of the nation,” he said.
Abkhazia’s Premier Leonid Lakerbaya has described the parliament’s resolution on early presidential elections as “anti-constitutional and revolutionary”.