An initiative to raise politicians’ pensions triggers a scandal in Abkhazia

Photo: Ibragim Chkadua

The Board of the Public Chamber of Abkhazia has appealed to the Abkhaz President, Raul Khajimba, requesting to set individual pensions amounting to RUB50,000 (nearly US$900) to the MPs of the historical first convocation of the Abkhaz Parliament.

An ordinary age pension in Abkhazia totals RUB500 [approximately US$9].

The disabled veterans of the 1992-1993 Patriotic War of the Abkhaz people get a pension amounting to RUB10,000 [approximately US$180], while those who enjoy the ‘Hero of Abkhazia’ status receive RUB 6,500 [about US$115].

There are some iconic political figures among the nominees for individual pensions, including the incumbent government members. Namely, the nominees’ list includes ex-President, Alexander Ankvab; ex-Foreign Minister, Sergey Shamba; incumbent Parliament Chairman, Valery Kvarchia, as well as two ex-Speakers, Sokrat Jinjolia and Valery Bganba.

There are a total of 18 ex-MPs and if the initiative is approved, their individual pensions will cost the budget RUB900,000 [approximately US$16,000) per month.

The Public Chamber’s initiative has stirred up negative reaction in the community, and that despite the fact that the Parliament of first convocation, which carried out its activity in 1991-1996, has been recently termed as the ‘golden’ one.

Social media have been overwhelmed with indignant comments. Here are some of them:

“Against the background that the state budget is all in holes like hurricane-stricken, the Chamber deems it possible to spend RUB900 per month on individual pensions for quite well-off people. They don’t live from hand to mouth, do they? It’s a shame.”

“It leaves an impression of a mere provocation. How come that the initiators haven’t thought of people’s possible reaction irrespective of their political attitudes? Former Parliament has already furnished itself with quite substantial pensions. Isn’t it enough? It’s just a feast in time of plague and dancing on the bones.”

“This Parliament can now be referred to as ‘double golden.’ How many medicines for the disabled war veterans could have been bought or how many of them could have been sent for medical treatment?”

“Even the President doesn’t have such a high salary. Of course, those who have been put on the list are rather reputable persons, but it’s an exorbitant amount for the pension fund.”

“Have they improved their compatriots’ living standards so much that they should be paid RUB50,000 pensions, while the elderly people get just RUB500? The MPs love themselves too much.”

Only 2 MPs from the ‘golden’ parliament have so far responded to the aforesaid initiative: Alexander Ankvab, ex-President and currently the leading oppositionist, and Vladimir Zantaria, an incumbent advisor to the Abkhaz President, Raul Khajimba.

Alexander Ankvab stated that despite the ‘obvious’ merits of the members of the first parliament, the present-day socio-economic conditions don’t allow setting individual pensions to all members of the Supreme Council of first convocation, including to him. “Some of my former colleagues from the Parliament of first convocation are facing hard times, some of them have health problems. I believe that those issues should be addressed individually, as an exception, rather than based on the list,” said Ankvab.

Vladimir Zantaria termed the individual pensions idea as ‘inopportune’.  

Abkhaz President, Raul Khajimba, whom the Public Chamber actually applied, hasn’t  yet expressed his position in this regard.

 The opinions expressed in the article convey the author’s terminology and views and do not necessarily reflect the position of the editorial staff