Kyrgyzstan politics

Addressing the problems Kyrgyz citizens name as their biggest concerns is arguably the only way to sustain trust.

It’s been a year since Kyrgyzstan erupted in post-election protests and precipitated the fall of yet another government in Bishkek.

Kyrgyzstan will finally hold parliamentary elections in late November, more than a year after a botched election spun the country into political turmoil.

The Interior Ministry justified the wiretaps as part of investigations into the October 2020 unrest.

Kyrgyzstan’s first president admitted to making mistakes regarding the mine.

Kyrgyzstan’s parliament will shrink and change after the next election, expected later this year, under new legislation and a new constitution.

With another former prime minister arrested, the Kumtor case grows. Meanwhile, some have been released and others kept in custody.

After 16 years, Askar Akayev returned to Kyrgyzstan in connection with the Kyrgyz state’s growing case against the Canadian mining company Centerra Gold.

Local elections provide a window into the state of Kyrgyz politics – and what might come next in the three decade-long game of political musical chairs.

The indifference of many and the votes of some have ushered in Kyrgyzstan’s next political phase: a return to strong presidentialism. 

The April 11 vote covers 420 village council elections and 28 town and city council elections, plus a controversial constitutional referendum.

The gender quota in local councils is no panacea, but it is an important step in creating the capacity to address the challenges women face in Kyrgyzstan.