Kyrgyzstan’s president has declined the country’s newly appointed prime minister in the latest political deadlock in the Central Asian state.
Sooronbay Jeenbekov asked the committee to vote again after MPs elected nationalist politician Sadyr Japarov. The president said there were uncertainties over whether lawmakers had obeyed voting rules.
The political crises of Kyrgyzstan
A political crisis has gripped Kyrgyzstan since disputed parliamentary polls on Oct. 4.
The unrest began after demonstrators took to the streets of the capital Bishkek and stormed government buildings, demanding a new vote and the resignation of pro-Russia President Jeenbekov.
They said the election results are manipulated. As international monitors said, these claims were “credible” and a cause for “serious concern.” The tampering was because the rival groups clashed for power, with several politicians making bids to minister.
Prime Minister and the President
On Saturday, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament designated Mr. Japarov as the country’s new Prime Minister after his predecessor stepped down.
Mr. Japarov served a prison sentence for taking a captive until he was freed last week, along with other jailed politicians.
On Tuesday, President Jeenbekov said he would not approve the appointment.
“All our decisions must be legitimate to maintain and strengthen stability in the country,” Mr. Jeenbekov said in a statement.
His announcement came after a senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the ex-Soviet state on Monday, meeting President Jeenbekov and Mr. Japarov.
The casualties amidst the politics
It was unclear when parliament would assemble to vote on a new prime minister.
More than 1,200 people have injuries. However, only one person died in street clashes since protests erupted. Therefore, the country is now under a state of emergency.
In the wake of demonstrations, then-parliament orator Dastan Jumabekov resigned. Consequently, a group of lawmakers named Myktybek Abdyldaev as the new parliament chairman followed the former.
Political history
Abdyldaev surrendered from the post on Oct. 10 amid statements by some political parties and lawmakers questioning his appointment legitimacy.
The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek asserted support for Jeenbekov move in a statement issued on Oct. 13 and notified about the threat that organized crime poses to Kyrgyz democracy.
“The United States encourages the efforts of President Jeenbekov, political administrators, civil society, and legal scholars. Consequently, these efforts are to return the political life of the nation to constitutional order,” the statement said, adding, “It is clear that one of the obstacles towards democratic progress is the trial by organized crime groups to exert influence over politics and elections.”
It said that the impact of organized crime was apparent with vote-buying during the Oct. 4 elections, brutality and intimidation in Ala-Too Square on Oct. 9, and variations in the parliament session on Oct. 10.
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