Kyrgyzstan presidential election 2021

In addition to electing Sadyr Japarov to the presidency, Kyrgyz voted by a huge margin to shift back to a strong presidential government system. 

Japarov soared past 16 other candidates with 79 percent of the vote in the January 10 election.

Four opposition candidates, in anticipation of a second round run-off for the presidency, have pledged to unite behind a single candidate. But Sadyr Japarov is the favorite to win in the first round.

When asked in early December which politicians they trusted, 48 percent of surveyed Kyrgyz said Sadyr Japarov -- 31 percent said they trusted no politicians.

Why bother analyzing elections in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan if we think we know the results?

Mamytov, Kyrgyzstan's second acting president since October, is a close ally of Sadyr Japarov, who hopes to win election to the real presidency on January 10.

The Kyrgyz Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber determined that parliament acted legally in extending its term and kicking parliamentary elections into 2021.

Two months out from unrest sparked by parliamentary elections, Kyrgyzstan’s political future remains uncertain.

With new presidential elections set for January and parliamentary elections sometime before June 2021, the debate over what kind of government Kyrgyzstan should have is critical.

Last month, Kyrgyz rushed into offices. This month, they’re running for the exits in hopes of contesting the January 10 early presidential election.