Politics of Kyrgyzstan

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Kyrgyzstan
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Kyrgyzstan

Constitution Tulip Revolution President Kurmanbek Bakiyev Prime Minister Felix Kulov Supreme Council Legislative Assembly Assembly of People's Representatives Political parties Politicians Elections Oblasts Human rights Foreign relations
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The Politics of Kyrgyzstan take place in a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the president is head of state and the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan is head of government, and of multi-party system in development. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament.

1 Political history since independence
2 Executive branch
3 Legislative branch
4 Political parties and elections
5 Political pressure groups and leaders
6 Judicial branch
7 Administrative divisions
8 International organization participation
9 External links

[edit] Political history since independence

In the first years of Kyrgyzstan's full independence, President Askar Akayev appeared wholeheartedly committed to the reform process. However, despite the backing of major Western donors, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kyrgyzstan had consequential economic difficulties from the outset. These came mainly as a result of the breakup of the Soviet trading bloc, which impeded the Republic's smooth transfer to a free-market economy.

In 1993, allegations of corruption against Akayev's closest political associates blossomed into a major scandal. One of those accused of improprieties was Vice President Feliks Kulov, who resigned for ethical reasons in December. Following Kulov's resignation, Akayev dismissed the government and called upon the last communist premier, Apas Djumagulov, to form a new one. In January 1994, Akayev initiated a referendum asking for a renewed mandate to complete his term of office. He received 96.2% of the vote.

A new Constitution was passed by the Parliament in May 1993. In 1994, however, the Parliament failed to produce a quorum for its last scheduled session prior to the expiration of its term (February 1995). President Akayev was widely accused of having manipulated a boycott by a majority of the parliamentarians. Akayev, in turn, asserted that the communists had caused a political crisis by preventing the legislature from fulfilling its role. Akayev scheduled an October 1994 referendum, overwhelmingly approved by voters, that proposed two amendments to the Constitution, one that would allow the Constitution to be amended by means of a referendum, and the other creating a new bicameral parliament called the Jogorku Keņesh.

Elections for the two legislative chambers - a 35-seat full-time assembly and a 70-seat part-time assembly - were held in February 1995 after campaigns considered remarkably free and open by most international observers, although the election-day proceedings were marred by widespread irregularities. Independent candidates won most of the seats, suggesting that personalities prevailed over ideologies. The new Parliament convened its initial session in March 1995. One of its first orders of business was the approval of the precise constitutional language on the role of the legislature.

Kyrgyzstan's independent political parties competed in the 1996 parliamentary elections. A February 1996 referendum - in violation of the Constitution and the law on referendums - amended the Constitution to give President Akayev more power. It also removed the clause that parliamentarians be directly elected by universal suffrage. Although the changes gave the President the power to dissolve Parliament, it also more clearly defined Parliament's powers. Since that time, Parliament has demonstrated real independence from the executive branch.

An October 1998 referendum approved constitutional changes, including increasing the number of deputies in the upper house, reducing the number of deputies in the lower house, rolling back Parliamentary immunity, reforming land tender rules, and reforming the state budget.

Two rounds of Parliamentary elections were held on February 20, 2000 and March 12, 2000. With the full backing of the United States, the OSCE reported that the elections failed to comply with commitments to free and fair elections and hence were invalid. Questionable judicial proceedings against opposition candidates and parties limited the choice of candidates available to Kyrgyz voters, while state-controlled media reported favorably on official candidates only and government officials put pressure on independent media outlets that favored the opposition.

In 2002 Azimbek Beknazarov, a leading opposition figure, was imprisoned by the local authorities, in what many believe to be politically motivated circumstances. This led to protests resulting in clashes with police forces, culminating in the death of 5 people in Jalal-Abad.

As May approached the authorities further extended their hold on power, imprisoning the vocal former Presidential ally, Feliks Kulov, to 10 years for alleged "abuses of office". During the same month the entire government resigned, accepting blame for the loss of life during the protests earlier in the year. A new government lead by Nikolay Tanayev was then formed and has remained ever since.

In November the President faced yet more protests, as the opposition announced it would march on the capital and demand his resignation. The police reacted by arresting large amounts of demonstrators, further adding to international disapproval at the authoritarian nature of Akayev's government.

By June 2003, the lower house of Parliament announced that President Akayev and two other "puppet" leaders of Kyrgyzstan, from the Soviet era, would be given lifetime immunity from prosecution, raising the prospect of Akayev finally stepping down.

The opposition parties have since announced they will form a coalition to fight those parties linked to the government in the 2005 elections.

In 2005, following disputed results of the 2005 parliamentary elections, Kyrgyzstan was thrown into a state of political turmoil, with different parties claiming that they were the legitimate government. On 10 July 2005 interim President and opposition leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev won the presidential election in a landslide victory. (See: Tulip Revolution).

In 2006, Bakiyev faced a political crisis as thousands of people demonstrated in a series of protests in Bishkek. They accused him of reneging on promised constitutional reforms limiting presidential power and giving more authority to the parliament and cabinet. They also accused him of failing to eradicate corruption, crime, and poverty. [1] Bakiyev in turn accused the opposition of plotting a coup against him. Several parliamentarians had been killed during the political unrest. [2]

[edit] Executive branch

Main office holders
Office	Name	Party	Since
President	Kurmanbek Bakiyev		August 15, 2005
Prime Minister	Felix Kulov	Ar-Namys	1 September 2005

The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term, the prime minister is appointed by the president. Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister.

[edit] Legislative branch

The bicameral Supreme Council (Joghorku Keneš) consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

note: in accordance with a 2003 referendum, the Parliament is slated to become unicameral with 75 deputies after the 2005 elections.

When this occurs, which it may have already, the Legislative Assembly (Myizam Chygaruu Jyiyny) will have 75 members, elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies.

[edit] Political parties and elections

The following election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the List of political parties in Kyrgyzstan. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Kyrgyzstan.

[discuss] – [edit]
**Summary of the 10 July 2005 Kyrgyzstan presidential election results**
Candidates	Votes	%
Kurmanbek Bakiyev	1,312,174	88.9
Tursunbai Bakir uulu	56,065	3.8
Akbaraly Aitikeev	52,671	3.6
Zhapar Dzheksheyev	13,821	0.9
Toktaim Umetalieva	8,111	0.6
Keneshbek Dushebaev	7,424	0.5
Against all candidates	12,771	0.9
Total (turnout %)		100.0
Source: Adam Carr [3]

More info Kyrgyz presidential election, 2005

[discuss] – [edit]
**Summary of the 27 February and 13 March 2005 Kyrgyzstan Supreme Council election results**
Parties	Seats
Results not available, elected members	75
Total (turnout %)	75

More info: Kyrgyz parliamentary elections, 2005

[edit] Political pressure groups and leaders

Council of Free Trade Unions
Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights - Ramazan Dyryldayev
National Unity Democratic Movement
Union of Entrepreneurs

[edit] Judicial branch

Supreme Court, judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on recommendation of the president; Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration.