In the Georgian autonomous republic of Abkhazia former communist Vladislav Ardzinba becomes in 1990 chairman of the parliament. Under his leadership Abkhazia secedes in 1992 from Georgia as the Republic of Abkhazia. This seccession is not recognized. Abkhazia is a presidential democratic republic and in 1994 Ardzinba becomes president of the republic. Ardzinba is re-elected unopposed in 1999. As Ardzinba is seriously ill since 2002 and has not appeared in public for more than two years, prime minister Raul Chajimba acts since 2003 as a de facto head of state in his absence.