Artur Mikvabia

Artur Mikvabia
12th Prime Minister of Abkhazia
In office 20 March 2015 – 26 July 2016
President	Raul Khajimba
Preceded by	Beslan Butba
Succeeded by	Beslan Bartsits
Leader of United Abkhazia
In office 25 March 2004 – 27 January 2009
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Daur Tarba
Personal details
Born	22 May 1949
Political party	United Abkhazia

Artur Mikvabia (born 22 May 1949) (Abkhaz: Артур Артиом-иԥа Амқәаб, Georgian: არტურ მიქვაბია) is an economist and politician from Abkhazia. He was Prime Minister in the Government of President Khajimba between 20 March 2015 and 26 July 2016.^[1]

Chairman of United Abkhazia (2004–2009)

Artur Mikvabia became Chairman of United Abkhazia when it was founded as socio-political movement on 25 March 2004. On 25 July 2007, he announced that he would resign his post and retire from politics, but members stated that they would not accept this, and Mikvabia remained chairman.^[2] On 27 January 2009 United Abkhazia was transformed into a political party and Daur Tarba became the new chairman.^[3]

Prime Minister (2015–2016)

Mikvabia was appointed Prime Minister by Khajimba on 20 March 2015.^[4] Following a motion a pending motion of no-confidence against him, the storming of the Interior Ministry by opposition activists and a failed referendum to bring about an early presidential election, Mikvabia announced his resignation on 26 July 2016, accepted on the same day by Khajimba.^[5][6] In an interview with Caucasian Knot, Mikvabia stated that the strong unrest in society was being caused by the government's efforts to structurally improve the financial situation of Abkhazia through measures such as the introduction of VAT, that he did not want to work under conditions where society itself hindered development and that he hoped his resignation would defuse tensions.^[7]

References

1. "Президент Абхазии Рауль Хаджимба принял отставку премьер-министра" (in Russian). Echo of Moscow. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
2. Политсовет Единой Абхазии с пониманием отнесся к моему решению завершить политическую карьеру – Артур Миквабия. Retrieved on August 7, 2007. (Russian)
3. "ОБЩЕСТВЕННО-ПОЛИТИЧЕСКОЕ ДВИЖЕНИЕ 'ЕДИНАЯ АБХАЗИЯ' ПРЕОБРАЗОВАНО В РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКУЮ ПОЛИТИЧЕСКУЮ ПАРТИЮ". Apsnypress. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
4. "Артур Миквабия назначен премьер-министром Абхазии". Apsnypress. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
5. Jopua, Irena (26 July 2016). "Премьер-министр Артур Миквабия заявил о своей отставке". Apsnypress. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
6. "Президент подписал Указ об освобождении Артура Миквабия от должности Премьер-министра". Apsnypress. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
7. Gritsevich, Anna (27 July 2016). "Миквабия объяснил свою отставку желанием снизить напряженность в Абхазии". Caucasian Knot. Retrieved 31 July 2016.