Sergei Bagapsh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sergei Bagapsh
|
|
|---|---|
| Сергеи Багаԥшь სერგეი ბაგაფში |
|
.jpg)
Bagapsh in 2008
|
|
| 2nd President of Abkhazia | |
| In office 12 February 2005 – 29 May 2011 |
|
| Prime Minister |
|
| Vice President |
|
| Preceded by | Vladislav Ardzinba |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Ankvab |
| 2nd Prime Minister of Abkhazia | |
| In office 29 April 1997 – 20 December 1999 |
|
| President | Vladislav Ardzinba |
| Preceded by | Gennady Gagulia |
| Succeeded by | Viacheslav Tsugba |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 March 1949 Sukhumi, Abkhaz ASSR, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | 29 May 2011 (aged 62) Moscow, Russia |
| Political party | United Abkhazia |
| Spouse | Marina Shonia |
| Alma mater | Georgian State University of Subtropical Agriculture |
| Signature |  |
Sergei Uasyl-ipa Bagapsh (4 March 1949 – 29 May 2011) was an Abkhaz politician. He was the second President of Abkhazia from 2005 until his death in 2011. Before becoming president, he served as Prime Minister of Abkhazia from 1997 to 1999.
Sergei Bagapsh was born in 1949 in Sukhumi. After the Soviet Union ended, he became a businessman. He also worked to represent Abkhazia's interests in Russia. In 1997, Bagapsh became Prime Minister. During his time as Prime Minister, there was a short conflict with Georgia in 1998.
In 2004, Bagapsh started a political party called United Abkhazia. He ran for president against Raul Khajimba. There was a political disagreement about who won the election. Eventually, Bagapsh and Khajimba agreed to work together. Bagapsh became President, and Khajimba became Vice President in 2005.
As President, Bagapsh worked hard to get other countries to recognize Abkhazia as an independent state. In 2008, after a conflict with Georgia, Russia officially recognized Abkhazia. After this, Russian businesses invested a lot in Abkhazia. Bagapsh won a second term as president in 2009. He passed away in 2011 due to health problems after surgery.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Sergei Bagapsh was born on 4 March 1949 in Sukhumi. This city is in what was then the Georgian SSR. He lived most of his life in Abkhazia. When he was young, Bagapsh was a member of the Georgian basketball team.
He studied at the Georgian State University of Subtropical Agriculture in Sukhumi. While studying, he worked in a wine business and as a security guard. In 1972, he completed his military service. After that, he worked in farming and then joined the Komsomol, a youth organization.
In 1978, Bagapsh worked for the Komsomol in Georgia. In 1980, he became the first secretary of the Abkhazian Regional Committee of the Komsomol. By 1982, he was a leader in the Ochamchira District for the Communist Party. After communism ended, Bagapsh became a businessman. He also represented the Abkhazian government in Moscow. From 1995 to 1997, he was the First Deputy Prime Minister of Abkhazia.
Serving as Prime Minister
Sergei Bagapsh became the Prime Minister of Abkhazia on 29 April 1997. During his time as Prime Minister, there were high tensions between Georgia and Abkhazia.
In May 1998, a military conflict happened. This war is sometimes called the "Six-Day War." Abkhazian forces fought against Georgian groups. After the conflict, about 30,000 Georgian civilians left Abkhazia.
The 2004 Presidential Election
From 2000 to 2004, Sergei Bagapsh was in charge of Abkhazia's state power company, Chernomorenergo. During this time, he started to become a strong candidate for the 2004 Abkhazian presidential election. In early 2004, he became one of the leaders of a new opposition party called United Abkhazia.
On 20 July 2004, United Abkhazia teamed up with another important opposition party, Amtsakhara. They chose Bagapsh as their joint candidate for the election. In the election, Bagapsh and his main opponent, Raul Khajimba, disagreed about the results. The election committee first said Khajimba won. But the Supreme Court later said Bagapsh had won with 50.3% of the votes.
The court then changed its decision after Khajimba's supporters protested. At one point, Bagapsh and his supporters planned to hold their own inauguration. However, in December, Bagapsh and Khajimba made an agreement. They decided to run together on one ticket. New elections were held on 12 January 2005. Bagapsh ran for president, and Khajimba ran for vice-president. They easily won.
After Bagapsh was elected, Russia put a ban on imports from Abkhazia. This caused problems for Abkhazia's tangerine exports. Some people called the election and the political situation the "Tangerine Revolution." This name was a nod to the "Rose Revolution" in Georgia and Abkhazia's famous tangerines.
Abkhazia Recognized by Russia
In August 2008, the Russo-Georgian War started. After this war, Abkhazia gained control over the Kodori Valley. Russia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua then officially recognized Abkhazia as an independent country.
After Russia recognized Abkhazia, Russian businesses started investing a lot of money there. They invested in things like buildings, roads, and energy. Some people in Abkhazia worried that Bagapsh was selling off too many Abkhazian assets.
The 2009 Presidential Election
Bagapsh first talked about running for president again on 18 April 2009. He said he would likely use his right to run for a second term. On 27 October, his party, United Abkhazia, officially nominated him. Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab was chosen as his vice presidential candidate. On 18 November, the Communist Party of Abkhazia also supported Bagapsh.
Death and Legacy
In May 2011, doctors found cancerous growths on Bagapsh's lung. On 21 May, he had surgery in a Moscow clinic. The growths were removed successfully. However, Bagapsh died on 29 May due0 to heart failure. This was a complication from the surgery.
Alexander Ankvab became the acting president after Bagapsh's death. A new election was planned for 26 August.
Reactions to His Death
The speaker of the Abkhaz parliament, Nugzar Ashuba, said that Bagapsh's death was unexpected. But he also said that the situation in the country remained calm.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sent his condolences. He said that Bagapsh was a loyal friend and supporter of Russia. He also said Bagapsh worked hard to make the ties between their countries stronger.
Remembering Sergei Bagapsh
A special group was set up to honor Sergei Bagapsh's memory. On 26 January 2012, the City Council of Sukhumi agreed to rename a square after him. The Square of the Constitution of the USSR became Bagapsh Square.
See also
In Spanish: Serguéi Bagapsh para niños
- Bagapsh Government
