On the Power Change in Kyrgyzstan

For the third time, the change of power in Kyrgyzstan took place by force, as a result of riots. Although in these events one can trace the traditional confrontation of the northern and southern clans, the main reason for the acute political crisis was the deterioration of the already difficult economic situation in the republic caused by the pandemic. Against this background, the ambiguous results of the parliamentary elections became a detonator of protest actions that led to the resignation of the leaders of the republic. As a result of the coup, power passed to one of the leaders of the protesters, Sadyr Japarov, who took over as prime minister and acting President. If he wins the early presidential elections on January 10, 2021, he will become the new legitimate head of Kyrgyzstan. However, the situation in the country remains tense, the opposing parties and movements are preparing for the repeated parliamentary elections, hoping to take revenge. A destabilizing factor is also the projected deterioration of the economic and epidemiological situation, as well as the unjustified high expectations of those strata of the Kyrgyz society, on whose support Japarov relied. In order to ensure economic and social stability, he intends to expand ties with foreign partners (an agreement on lobbying the interests of Kyrgyzstan in the United States and other countries), which leads to the strengthening of the multi-vector foreign policy of Bishkek.