3rd convocation of the People's Assembly of Abkhazia

The 3rd convocation of the People's Assembly of Abkhazia was in place from 2002 until 2007.

Speaker, Vice Speakers and Committee Chairmen edit

The third convocation held its first session on 2 April 2002, led by its oldest member Ivan Zarandia and attended by Vice President Valeri Arshba. There were two candidates for Speaker, Nugzar Ashuba and Kesou Khagba. Ashuba was elected with 23 votes against ten (one vote was invalid).[1][2] Parliament elected three Vice Speakers, one more than during the previous convocation: Konstantin Ozgan, Sergei Dbar and Aleksandr Stranichkin.[1]

On 5 April, five committees and one commission were constituted. Ilia Gamisonia was elected head of the Committee for the Budget and Economic Policy, Vladimir Nachach-ogly head of the Committee for Legislation, Beslan Butba head of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary and External Relations, Batal Khagush head of the Committee for Science, Education and Culture, Galust Trapizonyan head of the Committee for Social Policy and Emma Gamisonia head of the Commission for Human Rights. Upon the initiative of Vice Speaker Sergei Dbar, the constitution of the Committee for Defence and National Security was postponed until after the rerun in constituency No. 2.[3] On 1 August, the winner of the rerun Garik Samanba was elected chairman of the Defence Committee.[4]

On 10 March 2006, Vice Speaker Alexander Stranichkin was appointed Vice Premier. On 28 March, his successor was elected. Albert Ovsepyan, whose candidacy had been suggested by Stranichkin himself, defeated Galust Trapizonyan with 18 votes to 15.[5][6]

Factions edit

The 3rd convocation was the first convocation of the People's Assembly to form political factions. On 29 January 2003, 14 deputies formed the pro-government faction Republic, led by Temur Achugba. Its creation was criticised as divisive by some of the remaining deputies and a special session dedicated to discussing this development was held on 4 February.[7]

The founding members of Republic were Achugba, Raji Avidzba, Vladimir Ashkhatsava, Marina Bartsyts, Aslan Bartsits, Viacheslav Vardania, Andzor Goov, Albert Kapikyan, Valeri Kandakov, Gennadi Nikitchenko, Konstantin Pilia, Viacheslav Sakania, Kesou Khagba and Tamaz Shonia. Emma Gamisonia's name was originally included in the list, but it became clear this had been done without her knowledge and against her will.[8] Batal Khagush joined before December 2004.[9] Other deputies later left the faction,[10] Vardania on 29 April 2003,[11] Kapikyan before February 2014[10] and Kandakov and Nikitchenko before December 2004.[9] Most of its members supported outgoing Prime Minister Raul Khajimba in the October 2004 presidential election. On 16 December, following the Tangerine Revolution, Achugba stepped down as leader.[9][12]

On 19 February 2004, 15 deputies formed the faction Unity, led by Daur Tarba. Its other members were Vardania, Kapikyan, Emma Gamisonia, Garri Samanba, Galust Trapizonyan, Iuri Kereselidze, Nugzar Agrba, Vitali Tarnava, Ilia Gamisonia, Vakhtang Pipia, Arkadi Jinjia, Beslan Butba, Vladimir Nachach-ogly and Albert Ovsepyan.[10]

By-elections edit

Constituency no. 13 edit

On 27 June 2002, newly elected Vice-Speaker Sergei Dbar died of a heart attack.[13] The by-election for constituency No. 13 was held on 12 October. Candidates could be nominated until 12 September, while the registration period ran until 2 October.[14] Two candidates were registered: Garri Aiba and Marina Bartsyts.[15] The election was won by Bartsits.[16]

Constituency no. 31 (first time) edit

A by-election was organised for 5 April 2003 in constituency No. 31 following the death of Anatoli Khashba. Three candidates were nominated by initiative groups: Tkvarcheli District Assembly Chairman Zaur Jinjolia, businessman and Executive Secretary of Apsny Nugzar Agrba and businessman David Chanchikov.[17][18] The election was won by Agrba and he was registered as deputy on 9 April.[18]

Constituencies no. 6 and 29 edit

On 11 March 2005, the parliamentary terms of Vakhtang Pipia and Daur Tarba were terminated, due to their being appointed Minister for Taxes and Fees and Chairman of the State Committee for Property and Privatisation, respectively. The by-elections in constituencies No. 6 and 29 were scheduled for 15 May.[19]

There were three candidates in constituency No. 6: head of the association Inva-Assistance Valerian Tkhagushev received 666 votes (48.9%) Gulripshi District Head Adgur Kharazia 497 votes (36.5%) and Leonid Osia 170 votes (12.5%).[20] Since none of the candidates received an absolute majority of the votes, a second round was held on 29 May, in which Tkhagushev defeated Kharazia by 966 (56%) votes to 722.[21]

In constituency no. 29 there was only a single candidate running, Beslan Jopua.[20]

Constituency no. 31 (second time) edit

On 25 September 2005, a by-election was held in constituency No. 31 in Tkvarcheli, to replace Nugzar Agrba who was appointed to a government post. Jambulat Arshba was elected with 906 out of 923 votes, the total number of registered voters was 2079.[22]

Constituency no. 7 edit

On 10 March 2006, Alexander Stranichkin was appointed Vice Premier by President Bagapsh.[23] On 19 April, the Central Election Commission announced that the by-election in constituency No. 7 would be held on 4 June.[24] The Central Election Commission registered three candidates: Suren Kerselyan, Iakub Lakoba and Pavel Leshchuk.[25] None of the candidates achieved an absolute majority in the first round, and so a second round was held on 26 August, in which Leshchuk defeated Lakoba with 752 (64%) against 368 votes.[26] Leshchuk was officially registered as deputy on 11 September.[27]

List of Members edit

# Constituency Name Affiliation Position Notes
1 Sukhumi Vladimir Ashkhatsava Republic
2 Sukhumi Garik Samanba Unity Chairman of the Committee for Defence and National Security (since 1 August 2002)
3 Sukhumi Emma Gamisonia Unity Chairman of the Commission for Human Rights
4 Sukhumi Batal Arshba
5 Sukhumi Konstantin Pilia Republic
6 Sukhumi Vakhtang Pipia Unity Until 11 March 2005 due to appointment as Minister for Taxes and Fees
Valerian Tkhagushev Elected on 29 May 2005
7 Sukhumi Aleksandr Stranichkin Vice Speaker Until 10 March 2006 due to appointment as Vice Premier
Pavel Leshchuk Since 11 September 2006
8 Pitsunda Slava Sakania Republic
9 Bzyb Batal Khagush Republic (since 2003 or 2004) Chairman of the Committee for Science, Education and Culture
10 Gagra Vitali Tarnava Unity
11 Gagra Valeri Kondakov Republic (until 2003 or 2004)
12 Tsandripsh Albert Ovsepyan Unity Vice Speaker since March 2006
13 Otkhura Sergei Dbar Vice Speaker Died on 27 June 2002
Marina Bartsyts Republic Elected on 12 October 2002
14 Duripsh Kesou Khagba Republic
15 Lykhny Konstantin Ozgan Vice Speaker
16 Gudauta Vladimir Nachach-ogly Unity Chairman of the Committee for Legislation
17 Aatsin Viacheslav Tsugba
18 New Athos Aslan Bartsits Republic
19 Eshera Andzor Goov Republic
20 Gumista Galust Trapizonyan Unity Chairman of the Committee for Social Policy
21 Besleti Teimuraz Achugba Republic (chairman until 16 December 2004)
22 Pshap Albert Kapikyan Republic (until 2003 or 2004)
Unity
23 Machara Gennadi Nikitchenko Republic (until 2003 or 2004)
24 Dranda Raji Avidzba Republic
25 Beslakhuba Arkadi Jinjia Unity
26 Chlou Beslan Butba Unity Chairman of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary and External Relations
27 Kutol Nugzar Ashuba Speaker
28 Atara Valeri Zantaria
29 Ochamchira Daur Tarba Unity (chairman) Until 11 March 2005 due to appointment as Chairman of the State Committee for Property and Privatisation
Beslan Jopua Elected on 15 May 2005
30 Tkvarcheli Ilia Gamisonia Unity Chairman of the Committee for the Budget and Economy Policy
31 Tkvarcheli Arkadi Khashba Until 2003
Nugzar Agrba Unity Since 9 April 2003, until 2005
Jambulat Arshba Elected on 25 September 2005
32 Uakum Ivan Zarandia
33 Chuburkhinji Iuri Kereselidze Unity
34 Gali Viacheslav Vardania Republic (until 29 April 2003)
Unity
35 Shashikvar Tamaz Shonia Republic (until 2003 or 2004)

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Выпуск № 064". Apsnypress. 2 April 2002. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Абхазский парламент избрал нового спикера". Lenta.ru. 3 April 2002. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Выпуск № 067". Apsnypress. 5 April 2002. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Выпуск № 152". Apsnypress. 1 August 2002. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Альберт Овсепян избран вице-спикером Народного Собрания – Парламента Республики Абхазия". Apsnypress. 28 March 2006. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Грузия нуждается во внешней поддержке: Абхазия за неделю". Regnum Information Agency. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2009. (in Russian)
  7. ^ "Выпуск № 020". Apsnypress. 4 February 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Выпуск № 016". Apsnypress. 29 January 2003. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  9. ^ a b c "Ушел в отставку лидер фракции "Республика" парламента Абхазии". RIA Novosti. 16 December 2004. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  10. ^ a b c "Выпуск №35". Apsnypress. 19 February 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Выпуск № 080". Apsnypress. 29 April 2003. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Лидер парламентского объединения "Республика" сложил полномочия (Абхазия)". REGNUM News Agency. 17 December 2004. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Скончался герой Абхазии Сергей Дбар". Apsnypress / Caucasian Knot. 28 June 2002. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  14. ^ "ЦИК зарегистрировала две инициативные группы по выдвижению кандидатов в депутаты". Apsnypress / Caucasian Knot. 14 September 2002. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  15. ^ "Выпуск № 200". Apsnypress. 4 October 2002. Archived from the original on 5 October 2002. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  16. ^ "Выпуск № 211". Apsnypress. 17 October 2002. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  17. ^ "Выпуск № 042". Apsnypress. 12 March 2003. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Выпуск № 063+064". Apsnypress. 9 April 2003. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  19. ^ Kuchuberia, Anzhela (28 March 2005). "В Абхазии пройдут повторные выборы депутатов парламента". Caucasian Knot. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  20. ^ a b "В Сухуми пройдут повторные выборы депутатов в парламент Абхазии". REGNUM News agency. 16 May 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  21. ^ Kuchuberia, Anzhela (30 May 2005). "В Сухуми состоялось повторное голосование по выборам депутата парламента Абхазии". Caucasian Knot. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  22. ^ Kuchuberia, Anzhela (26 September 2005). "Парламент республики Абхазия доукомплектован". Caucasian Knot. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  23. ^ "Александр Страничкин назначен вице-премьером Республики Абхазия". Apsnypress. 10 March 2006. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  24. ^ "4 июня пройдут повторные выборы депутата Парламента по Сухумскому избирательному округу №7". Apsnypress. 19 April 2006. Archived from the original on 8 June 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  25. ^ "Выпуск №131". Apsnypress. 12 May 2006. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  26. ^ "Выпуск №263". Apsnypress. 28 August 2006. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  27. ^ "Выпуск №275-276". Apsnypress. 11 September 2006. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.