Kyrgyzstan is set to elect its new president
Kyrgyzstan is about to elect its fifth President for a new six-year term. This is an opportunity for us to take stock of the country's political situation
Kyrgyzstan is about to elect its fifth President for a new six-year term. This is an opportunity for us to take stock of the country's political situation and the stakes of this presidential election.
The former Soviet Republic is preparing for the first round of its presidential election which will take place this Sunday, October 15, 2017.
In an economically unstable environment where terrorist threats at its borders and its energy dependence on its neighbors weaken its democratic health, Kyrgyzstan still stands out as Central Asia's only democratic country and must more than ever face new challenges.
Candidates in Kyrgyzstan's presidential election
The beginning of the campaign registered no fewer than 59 candidates, the majority of whom are independents. By July, there were still around thirty candidates.
Among the leading candidates is Prime Minister Sooronbaï Jeenbekov. Almazbek Atambaïev, the current president who cannot run for a second term, is counting on Sooronbaï Jeenbekov, candidate of his Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK; 38 seats out of 120 in Parliament), to continue to play an important role in his country. This candidate can rely on the votes of southern voters, the country's most populated region, while his main opponent, wealthy businessman Omourbek Babanov, also a former prime minister, has the support of Moscow and Kazakhstan behind him.
Other presidential candidates such as Temir Sariev, another former prime minister, position themselves as important figures but struggle to gather voter support.
The controversial candidate in this presidential election is none other than Omurbek Tekebaev. Leader of the Ata-Meken party, this candidate, though significant, has no chance of winning the presidency for the simple reason that he is currently in prison. Accused of corruption, he was convicted in February 2017. His supporters, however, denounce charges that are politically motivated, designed solely to eliminate a fierce opponent of President Almazbek Atambaïev.
Challenges for Kyrgyzstan's next president
The next government's mission will be to restore the State's role as moderator and unifier in this country, which has experienced profound national divisions for decades. Indeed, Kyrgyz from the South and those from the North regularly clash, reflecting significant regional discord.
Nevertheless, for several years, Kyrgyzstan has been experiencing a surge in nationalism that is increasingly inscribed in political debates. The Ata-jurt party is indeed the main driver of this movement to build national identity. In this country, rich in strong multicultural heritage, such a rise in nationalism could prove dangerous.
Frequently asked questions
Kyrgyzstan's presidential election on October 15, 2017 was won by Sooronbaï Jeenbekov, candidate of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) and former prime minister, backed by outgoing President Almazbek Atambaïev.
Despite internal political tensions and security challenges at its borders, Kyrgyzstan is considered an accessible destination for travelers. However, it is advisable to check the latest travel recommendations before departure.
Kyrgyzstan stands out from its Central Asian neighbors through the regular organization of pluralistic elections, the existence of an active political opposition, and a relatively free civil society. This distinction makes it a unique case in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes.
At the start of the campaign, no fewer than 59 candidates had registered, with a majority of independents. This number had been reduced to around thirty by July 2017 before the election was held on October 15, 2017.
Kyrgyzstan faces several major challenges: regional divisions between the country's North and South, persistent economic instability, terrorist threats at its borders, energy dependence on its neighbors, and a rise in nationalism driven notably by the Ata-jurt party.
