Kyrgyzstan's Election: A Step Forward or Backward?

Kyrgyzstan's recent parliamentary election was smooth, but not without issues. Observers from the OSCE noted that the election was well-organized. However, they also pointed out that the campaign environment was restrictive. This limited how candidates and voters could engage. The president's allies won most of the seats. This gives the president more power. He has been strict on media and opposition groups. Kyrgyzstan is in a key spot in Central Asia. It has important resources. This makes it a place where big countries like Russia, the U. S. , and China pay attention. Russia has a military base in Kyrgyzstan. Trade between the two countries has grown. This is partly because of sanctions on Russia. These sanctions started after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. This has helped Kyrgyzstan's economy grow. The OSCE said that while the constitution protects freedoms, these freedoms are not always respected. The government controls who can run for office. Many people are afraid to get involved in politics. This makes voters less interested. Kyrgyzstan has been known for its active political life. This is different from other countries in the region. In the past, protests have led to leaders being removed. This happened in 2005, 2010, and 2020. The media in Kyrgyzstan has also been more free than in other countries in the region. But since the 2020 protests, the current president has changed things. He has been tough on opposition groups. He has also put strict rules on the media. Before the election, he said there would be no more coups. He also predicted he would win a lot in the next presidential election. Most candidates in the recent election were independents. They support the president. A government official said that parliamentary democracy has not worked well. It has not brought stability or better living standards. He said that trying to copy Western systems did not work.