The incumbent president of the former Georgian republic of Abkhazia will retain the "backbone" of the government if he is reelected on Saturday.

"I think there should be a rotation [in the new government] and there should be young staff members. I believe the backbone of the government, which has worked pretty well over the last five years, will remain, but there will be a staff rotation," Sergei Bagapsh said on the republic's state television on Friday.

Bagapsh has said that young professionals would join the government, adding "that's the program" he has.

Although Abkhazia has been de facto independent since the early 1990s, the December 12 polls will be its first presidential elections since it was recognized as an independent state by Russia in August 2008.

Abkhaz incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh, former deputy premier Raul Khadzhimba, businessman Beslan Butba, leader of the Party for Economic Development of Abkhazia, independent candidate Vitaly Bganba and director of the state-run Abkhaz Ocean Steam Navigation company Zaur Ardzinba are set to run in the elections.

In line with the republic's constitutional law on presidential elections, the elections are scheduled by the People's Assembly not later than four months before the end of the previous president's term, and are held not earlier than three and not later than two months before it.

Bagapsh took office on February 12, 2005.

SUKHUMI, December 11 (RIA Novosti)