Politics of Adzhatia
The State of Adzhatia is a parliamentary republic. The legislative is formed by the Dume (Dumća), which has 160 members. The executive consists of the president and the government, the latter of which is headed by a prime minister. Since the president has a largely ceremonial function, the largest amount of political power is invested in the prime minister. Presidential and parliamentary elections are held every four years.
The current president is Ms Astrid Kŭćma (in office since 8 October 2022); current prime minister is Ms Ŕanije Erijeź since 12 September 2017.
History
The Adzhatian A.S.S.R. was officially founded on 1 December 1950. Miheĺ Iĺicśŭn was appointed Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet ('President'). Not many eventful things happened in Adzhatia until 1979, when Miheĺ Iĺicśŭn openly requested the promotion of the A.S.S.R. into an S.S.R. Since however S.S.R.'s had the constitutional right to secede from the Soviet Union, the request was declined out of fear that the strategical island with its large military capacity would gain independence and fall into the hands of NATO. Miheĺ Iĺicśŭn was replaced as chairman of the presidium in 1982. His successor Vadim Erkŏhśŭn died however unexpectedly after two years and Miheĺ Iĺicśŭn was restored to power, only for himself to die in 1986. His brother Pjotaŕ Iĺicśŭn was appointed chairman of the presidium. Under his rule, nationalist movements gained influence and lead the country into independence in 1990 and 1991. Pjotaŕ Iĺicśŭn however died in the process.
The newly independent country elected Miheĺ Pjotarśŭn, Pjotaŕ Iĺicśŭn's son, as its first president. Soon however, he proved however somewhat dictatorial and although elections were organised regularly and human rights weren't violated on a large scale, it seemed to be impossible to elect someone else as president and nothing significant changed during his rule from 1990 to 2004. Miheĺ Pjotarśŭn was deposed in what seemed a short revolution, but it turned out later that he had been bought out. Due to this, several coup d'états took place in the two years that followed, with one party even turning the country in a constitutional monarchy for ten days. The climax of this situation took place in November 2005, after which the republic was restored.
Since 2006 Adzhatian politics have been fairly stable. In 2006 the constitution was changed so that the role of the head of state (president) was reduced to a largely ceremonial one. The head of government (prime minister) became the main figure of the executive power.
The Dume (Dumća)
- Main Article: Adzhatian parliamentary elections
The legislative power is formed by a unicameral parliament (Dume 'Parliament' or Dumća 'The Parliament') with 160 seats, 115 of which are elected at least every four years by proportional representation. The other 45 (before 2014: 27) are elected by means of a district system (Single Transferable Vote). While the 115 proportionally elected parliament members can be sacked before the end of their four year terms, this is not possible for the 45 regionally elected members: their mandates expire after four years and none of the representatives elected by regional representation can be elected in the same manner again (they may however be re-elected for one of the 115 proportional seats). Should a regionally elected member of the Dume die or resign, he will not be replaced but until the next elections.
The next Adzhatian parliamentary elections will take place at the latest on 12 June 2021 for the 115 proportionally elected seats, following the elections of June 2017, and on 24 September 2022 for the 45 regionally elected seats.
Political parties
There are some fifteen officially registered political parties, although not all of them always have (had) seats in the Dume. Currently, the most important parties are NKP (Năve Komunistiće Partića, 'The New Communist Party'); Secializdźiś (The Socialists), which is a social-democratic party; AVŎD (Adźać Valteźiś Ŏdźa Demokradźiś, 'The Liberal Democrats of the Adzhatian State'), which played an important role in overthrowing the regime of former president Miheĺ Pjotarśŭn; and Bloc-Ħĭnzei ('List-Ħĭnzei'), a right-wing political party founded by Ereh Ħĭnzei. The latter three have been part of the government coalition since 30 December 2011.
Other political parties which have seats in the Dume are ĔŚ (Ĕrevi Śviveź, 'Friends of Europe'), a moderate left-wing party that wishes to improve ties with other European countries and the European Union; PDA (Partića Demokratićai Adźaciai, 'The Party for a Democratic Adzhatia'); OVMP (Oi Vŭo Mihelun Pjotarśŭnin, the old communist party, the main goal of which was to bring former president Miheĺ Pjotarśŭn back to power, but he has died in early 2012); PŎA (Partića Ŏdźai Adźaciai, 'The Party for a Free Adzhatia'); DZ-P (Dzalităm Partića, the green party); IGA (Iństătciŕ Gleŕiă Adźaciai, 'Union for a Glorious Adzhatia', nationalist/populist); and ŚhS (Śăĺveź hă Saħe, 'Order and Justice', right-wing christian).
In June 2012, some members of the Dume left Bloc-Ħĭnzei, AVŎD and the PDA to form the so called 'Thursday Front' (Trŏśtan Frentciŕ), which is also a conservative and rather populist party.
Key persons in Adzhatian politics
List of heads of state of Adzhatia
According to the 2006 constitution, the President of the Adzhatian state is elected by the Adzhatian people in one round, in which the voters may give five preference votes (or less, if there are less candidates). If, after counting the first preference votes, no candidate has obtained more than 50% of the votes, the candidate with the least amount of votes will leave the race and the second preference votes of the first preference votes that were in favour of that candidate, will be distributed among the other candidates. This procedure is repeated until a candidate has obtained more than 50% of the votes.
# | head of state | function | took office | left office | party |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | Miheĺ Iĺicśŭn | chairman of the presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the A.A.S.S.R. | 1 December 1950 | 29 March 1982 | AKP (Adzhatian Communist Party) |
B | Vadim Erkŏhśŭn | chairman of the presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the A.A.S.S.R. | 29 March 1982 | 17 July 1984 | AKP (Adzhatian Communist Party) |
(A) | Miheĺ Iĺicśŭn 2nd term | chairman of the presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the A.A.S.S.R. | 18 July 1984 | 9 March 1986 | AKP (Adzhatian Communist Party) |
C | Pjotaŕ Iĺicśŭn | chairman of the presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the A.A.S.S.R. | 13 March 1986 | 27 September 1990 | AKP (Adzhatian Communist Party) |
1 | Miheĺ Pjotarśŭn | president of the Adzhatian Republic | 2 October 1990 | 18 June 2004 | AKP (Adzhatian Communist Party) |
2 | Ereh Ħĭnzei | president of the Adzhatian Republic | 8 August 2004 | 9 June 2005 | AVŎD |
3 | Ăŕva Ośŕoncei | head of the Adzhatian State | 9 June 2005 | 19 November 2005 | 'Adzhatian Opposition' |
4 | Miheĺ I | king of Adzhatia | 19 November 2005 | 29 November 2005 | none |
(2) | Ereh Ħĭnzei 2nd term | president of the Adzhatian Republic | 29 November 2005 | 7 October 2006 | AVŎD |
5 | Grigeŕ Maććok | president of the Adzhatian State | 7 October 2006 | 9 October 2010 | independent |
6 | Ăŕva Bekina | president of the Adzhatian State | 9 October 2010 | 11 October 2014 | independent (formerly Bloc-Ħĭnzei) |
7 | Kataŕine Matuś (f) (2 terms) | president of the Adzhatian State | 11 October 2014 | 08 October 2022 | AVŎD |
8 | Astrid Kŭćma (f) | president of the Adzhatian State | 08 October 2022 | incumbent | Bloc-Ħĭnzei |
A, B and C refer to the presidents of Adzhatia as an autonomous republic within the Soviet Union, formally called Chairmen of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Adhatian A.S.S.R..
The numbers 1 etc. refer to the heads of state of Adzhatia as an independent nation.
List of prime ministers of Adzhatia
The office of prime minister was created in 2004; it was abolished between 9 June and 19 November 2005.
# | head of government | took office | left office | party | coalition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Valentiń Lăńkaĺ | 18 June 2004 | 7 June 2005 | AVŎD | AVŎD + PDA |
2 | Pekka Cirpăń | 7 June 2005 | 9 June 2005 | AVŎD | AVŎD + PDA |
3 | Ăŕva Ośŕoncei | 19 November 2005 | 29 November 2005 | 'Adzhatian Opposition' | 'Adzhatian Opposition' + PDA |
Adriań Hićrecei acting | 30 November 2005 | 14 March 2006 | independent | various caretaker government | |
4 | Ŕanije Erijeź (f) acting until 30 September 2006 | 14 March 2006 | 21 October 2007 | Secializdźiś | Secializdźiś + AVŎD |
5 | Ereh Ħĭnzei | 21 October 2007 | 16 April 2010 | Bloc-Ħĭnzei | Bloc-Ħĭnzei + AVŎD + PŎA |
(4) | Ŕanije Erijeź (f) 2nd term | 16 April 2010 | 13 September 2011 | Secializdźiś | Secializdźiś + Ĕrevi Śviveź |
6 | Galine Pańńiub-Koka (f) | 13 September 2011 | 29 September 2011 | Ĕrevi Śviveź | Ĕrevi Śviveź minority government |
Ăŕva Tŭle acting | 29 September 2011 | 30 December 2011 | AVŎD | various caretaker government | |
7 | Eigĕń Hameen | 30 December 2011 | 14 August 2013 | Secializdźiś | Secializdźiś + AVŎD + Bloc-Ħĭnzei |
14 August 2013 | 20 May 2016 | Secializdźiś + AVŎD + Dzalităm Partie | |||
20 May 2016 | 31 August 2017 | Secializdźiś + Dzalităm Partie | |||
Vitaĺ Ăħcvehei acting | 31 August 2017 | 12 September 2017 | Secializdźiś | Secializdźiś + Dzalităm Partie | |
(4) | Ŕanije Erijeź (f) 3rd term | 12 September 2017 | 15 June 2021 | Secializdźiś | Secializdźiś + ĔAP + NKP + DZ-P |
15 June 2021 | incumbent | Secializdźiś + ĔAP |
List of chairpersons of the Dume
Although the chairperson of the Dume doesn't have to be a member of a government party, this is often the case nevertheless. If the largest party is negotiating with a smaller party to form a coalition government, endorsing a candidate of that smaller party as Dume chairperson is considered a 'decent' thing to do. This does not always function the way parties intend: e.g. the chairman elected on 1 December 2011 is a member of the Secializdźiś party, which was supposed to be the junior coalition partner in a government with the largest party NKP. The NKP ended up in opposition however, so Secializdźiś held both the office of prime minister and the chair of the Dume until 6 September 2012, when mr. Ćŭrupa stepped down.
# | chairperson | took office | left office | party |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ereh Ikijeć | 19 December 1990 | 10 October 1991 | PŎA |
2 | Vassiĺ Guŕćvei | 10 October 1991 | 12 October 1995 | AKP |
3 | Grigeŕ Eńńa | 12 October 1995 | 1 June 2004 | AKP |
4 | Grigeŕ Aśvuei | 1 June 2004 | 27 September 2007 | Secializdźiś |
5 | Fabiań Ovać | 27 September 2007 | 8 April 2010 | Bloc-Ħĭnzei |
6 | Ăŕva Tŭle | 8 April 2010 | 1 December 2011 | AVŎD |
Ilja Juvanśŭn acting for Ăŕva Tŭle | 29 September 2011 | 1 December 2011 | PŎA | |
7 | Śvein Ćŭrupa | 1 December 2011 | 6 September 2012 | Secializdźiś |
8 | Eve Ħrăħ (f) acting until 12 September 2012 | 6 September 2012 | 30 January 2017 | Ĕrevi Śviveź |
9 | Ćĕnza Jorvak | 30 January 2017 | 3 July 2017 | AVŎD |
10 | Vladislaf Endis 2 terms | 3 July 2017 | incumbent | Secializdźiś |
Foreign Relations
- Main Article: List of Adzhatian ambassadors
After gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Adzhatia established relations with other European countries and other countries that became independent from the Soviet Union. Under president Miheĺ Pjotarśŭn no significant effort was made to move towards integration in the European Union or NATO, as he kept the relations with Moscow relatively warm. Adzhatia did not however join the Commonwealth of Independent Nations (CIS); it applied for membership in 2008, but integration in CIS was never finalised. Adzhatia did join the United Nations and the Nordic Council in 2004, the Council of Europe followed in 2005 and FICTS in 2008. Adzhatia is also a member state of the OSCE, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Relations with FICTS and FICT
Adzhatia became a member of the international organisation FICTS in 2008. Adzhatia's first ambassador to FICTS was mrs. Miheĺe Kapustineź-Ŏrħanen (ms. Miheĺe Ŏrħanen after her divorce in 2009); during the second half of 2009 she was the organisation's eighth Secretary General.
On 25 June 2011, a new treaty of Purikali was signed that founded the new international organisation FICT. FICT replaced FICTS entirely after some time; there was a transitional period during which the ambassador to FICT also remained ambassador to FICTS. The current Adzhatian ambassador to FICT is mr. Saŭĺ Cħvĕŕiśek, since 1 October 2017.
Although Adzhatia has signed the treaty on 25 June 2011, it ratified it as late as 23 December being the last founding country to do so. In September 2011 the government's collapse and the call for new elections meant that ratification of the Purikali treaty was postponed until after the 19 November elections. After the first FICT Council meeting in April 2012, it became clear that some member states with different expectations on the organisation's purposes intended to split off and create a new organisation. Adzhatia expressed its wish to remain in FICT and join the talks about a new organisation.
Relations with the Exumbran Convention
Adzhatia became a member of the Exumbran Convention in 2012. Adzhatia's first Permanent Representative in the Permanent Preparational Office of the Convention is mr. Bohatiŕ Kerećei, who was appointed as of 1 September 2012, although the Dume hadn't ratified the Treaty of the Exumbran Convention by then.
The Exumbran Convention was founded by some former FICT countries who were dissatisfied with the way the purposes of FICT were interpreted by other member states. Adzhatia is the only country that is a member of both organisations.
The Judiciary
The present judicial system of Adzhatia took its form after a series of changes to the constitution and other laws between 1991 and 2006. There are Courts of First Instance (Прање Інстанціаіса Ґове), a Court of Appeal (Апелаціан Ґофцу), a Supreme Court (Мапѳішт Ґофцу), and a Constitutional Court (Кенстітуціан Ґофцу). The Supreme Court is divided in a civil and a criminal section.
Every district has a Court of First Instance, with small annexes in remote villages; these may only treat minor cases. The Supreme and the Constitutional Courts are both in Ashtinok, but the Court of Appeal is located in Kercei. Normal judges are appointed for life by the president after being nominated by the Special Commission of Magistrates; the president cannot choose and appoint candidates of his own choice. The Constitutional Court consists of seven judges; two are directly appointed by the Special Commission of Magistrates, two by the president, two by the Dume and one by the district governors together. The judges of the Constitutional Court are appointed for life in principle, but after ten years a judge may be removed if three of the four parties that appoint the judges for the Constitutional Court (i.e. the Special Commission of Magistrates, the president, the Dume, and the district governors together) find that a judge is no longer serving the country's best interest. A judge may decide to step down for health reasons at all times.
The current seven judges of the Constitutional Court are:
- Aśvĕĺ Eśka (since 1998, appointed by the Dume)
- Konstantiń Ĕćuńź (since 1998, appointed by the Special Commission of Magistrates)
- Konstantiń Popŏv (since 2007, appointed by the Dume)
- Đĕdrik Lulije (since 2007, appointed by the president)
- Albert Popuvănskie (since 2007, appointed by the district governors)
- Feliks Mĕśićek (since 1 November 2013, appointed by the Special Commission of Magistrates)
- Viktoŕe Treśiħin-Ŕŭnak (f, since 2016, appointed by the president)
Controversy
There is an ongoing public debate whether or not the three members of the Constitutional Court that were appointed before the 2004 revolution should be replaced, as both the Dume and the Special Commission of Magistrates were in practice heavily influenced by the president. However, the judges appointed in 1998 were allowed to remain on their posts after ten years and since only two judges remain who were appointed before 2004, the debate is slowly calming down.