Georgia: Khajimba to Run for Abkhaz President

Abkhazia's controversial former de facto vice-president, Raul Khajimba, has declared his candidacy for the breakaway region's presidency. Khajimba is expected to compete in the region's December 12 presidential election with Abkhazia's current de-facto leader, Sergei Bagapsh, and businessman Beslan Butba, head of the Economic Development Party.

Khajimba and Bagapsh first crossed swords in Abkhazia's tumultuous 2004 presidential election. Khajimba, the region's de facto prime minister, was then widely viewed as the favorite of Russia, which in 2008 recognized Abkhazia as an independent state and vowed to suppress any attempt by Georgia to reclaim the breakaway territory. To end the tensions, Bagapsh and Khajimba reached a power-sharing agreement that placed Khajimba as vice-president.

Khajimba, who has recently emerged as more of an outspoken nationalist, resigned as vice-president in May, citing differences with Bagapsh, including the 2009 border defense agreement with Russia.