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Democracy News
Interim Kyrgyzstan Government Struggles to Regain Stability
June 7, 2010
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly
Following the ouster of former Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the political situation in Kyrgyzstan has been wrought with political instability. On May 15, Voice of America reported that interim government officials announced that they had regained control over three Southern provinces after pro-Bakiyev supporters forcefully invaded government buildings. Under the leadership of acting president Roza Otunbayeva, the interim government stated the unrest in the South was incited by Bakiyev himself, as he sought refuge in neighboring Belarus. Officials have now identified the invasion as a coup attempt. Commenting on the incident in the South, Otunbayeva said, “The former president again spilled the blood of Kyrgyz citizens,” the New York Times reported.
On April 26, RIA Novosti, a Russian media outlet, reported that the interim government had published a draft of the new proposed constitution. The document included restrictions on presidential power and switching to a parliamentary system. The draft also proposed a five-year term limit with a maximum of two successive terms as well as provisions granting freedom of assembly, as long as the government was informed beforehand.
On June 7, BBC News reported that Edil Baisalov, the chief of staff to acting president Roza Otunbayeva, had resigned from his government post in order to form a new party to run in the parliamentary elections in October. Baisalov is the senior most official to step down since Bakiyev was ousted in April. In a statement, Baisalov said, “At the current moment it is necessary to return the republic to a democratic path and I, as an active citizen, have made the decision that a new force should take part in the elections.” Previously Baisalov commented that he “[doubted] that the new authorities [would] provide deeper democratic reforms” than the previous administration.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Otunbayeva said the interim government had been working to ensure that the upcoming election would be free and fair. Noting that there was still a lot of “preparatory work” to be completed, Otunbayeva stated that the interim government had already set up an electoral monitoring commission and had begun distributing notifications about the election throughout the country. When questioned if she would take part in the presidential election, Otunbayeva commented that she would abstain: “I’m not offering my candidacy for the presidential elections. I am just a part of the transition scheme to transfer society from the old 2007 constitution to the new 2010 constitution.”
Since the interim government took over, they have been working to regain control in the country but sporadic uprisings have made it difficult. According to the interim government, the unstable political climate has led to the decision to push back the presidential and legislative elections that were originally scheduled to take place later this year on October 10, 2010. The elections will now take place in 2011.
For previous news on Kyrgyzstan, please see:
Deposed Kyrgyz President Leaves Country
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