Gennady Gagulia

Gennady (Genadi) Leonid-ipa Gagulia (Abkhazian: Геннадии Леонид-иҧа Гагәлиа, Georgian: გენადი გაგულია; born 4 January 1948 - 2018) is the current and three-time Prime Minister of Abkhazia (January 1995 – April 1997, November 2002 – April 2003) and the current head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Early career

In 1972 he graduated from Civil Engineering Department of the Belarusian Polytechnic Institute. From 1973 to 1977 he worked at Stroymaster as superintendent, chief engineer, head of the construction site. From 1977 to 1986 he was Deputy Director of Works Catering Lake Riza, From 1986 to 1991 he was the chairman of the Gudauta district consumer cooperatives. From 1991 to 1992 he worked at the State Committee for Foreign Economic Relations, Council of Ministers - Abkhaz ASSR. From 1992 to 1995 He was Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia. During the Georgian-Abkhaz war in the early 1990s, Gagulia was a member of the Abkhazian Defense Committee, which was responsible for, among other things, the distribution of food, at a time when Abkhazian forces only controlled a section of the country.

First period as prime minister

Gennady Gagulia was the first person to fill the post of prime minister which came into existence with the adoption of the Constitution of Abkhazia in 1994. Gagulia was appointed in January 1995.

As prime minister Gagulia had a reputation for being the most strongly pro-Russian of Abkhazia's prime ministers. He steadfastly opposed both reunification with Georgia and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Georgian-Abkhaz border. He has also alluded to the possibility of Abkhazia unifying with Russia.

Gagulia was also heavily involved in negotiations over the future of Abkhazia, choosing to handle negotiations himself, rather than sending envoys, as has generally been the case with other Abkhaz leaders. In this role, he has met with a number of foreign leaders, including the Presidents of Russia Vladimir Putin and of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze.

In 1997, Gagulia resigned from the prime ministership, citing health reasons. In between his two stints as prime minister, Gagulia was the chair of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia. He was also deputy prime minister under Anri Jergenia. 

When Jergenia was fired on 29 November 2002, Gagulia was appointed prime minister for the second time.

Second resignation as prime minister and further political career

In the evening of 7 April 2003, Gagulia's government filed for resignation. Early in the morning of that day, nine prisoners had escaped, four of which had been sentenced to death due to their involvement in the 2001 Kodori crisis. President Ardzinba initially refused to accept Gagulia's resignation, but was forced to agree on 8 April. Vice President Valery Arshba denied on 8 April that the government's resignation was due to the prison escape, and stated that instead it was caused by the opposition's plans to hold protest rallies on 10 April.

On 15 December 2003, Gagulia was appointed head of the Presidential administration, succeeding Miron Agrba. On 18 June 2004, Gagulia resigned from his post, stating "There is a certain scenario to the presidential elections in Abkhazia. I don't match this scenario and thus I prefer to step down."

It had been suggested that Ardzinba may have also favoured Gagulia to replace him as President, but Ardzinba instead decided to back then-Prime Minister Raul Khajimba.

On 24 June 2004, Gagulia was again appointed head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia, succeeding Yuri Aqaba. Gagulia remained in that position until April 2018.

Third term as Prime Minister

Gagulia was reappointed Prime Minister of Abkhazia in April 2018 by President Raul Khajimba, replacing Beslan Bartsits.