Government and Politics of Kyrgyzstan

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)

Legal System

based on civil law system

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan dual citizenship recognized: yes, but only if a mutual treaty on dual citizenship is in force residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Sadyr JAPAROV (since 28 January 2021); note - Japarov was initially appointed acting president in October 2020 following the resignation of President Sooronbay JEENBEKOV amid mass protests over disputed parliamentary election results; Japarov subsequently won the presidential election held on 10 January 2021 head of government: Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek KASYMALIEV (since January 2024); note - the office was previously held by Akylbek JAPAROV (no relation to the president) from 2021 to 2024 cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president; the cabinet structure was significantly reorganized following the adoption of a new constitution in April 2021, which shifted Kyrgyzstan toward a presidential system and replaced the former prime ministerial structure with a Cabinet Chairman subordinate to the president elections: president directly elected by popular vote for a single six-year term (not eligible for re-election); election last held on 10 January 2021; the 2021 constitution introduced the single-term limit and extended the presidential term from five to six years election results: Sadyr JAPAROV elected president in the January 2021 election; percent of vote - Sadyr JAPAROV 79.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV 6.8%, other candidates 14.0%

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kenesh (90 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms; parties must clear a 5% threshold nationally to gain seats) Elections: The most recent parliamentary elections were held on 28 November 2021, replacing the previous legislature that had been dissolved following political unrest and mass protests in October 2020, which erupted over disputed election results and led to the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. A constitutional referendum in April 2021 introduced a new presidential system and expanded the legislature from 75 to 90 seats. Election results: Jogorku Kenesh — seats by party: Ata-Zhurt Kyrgyzstan 28 seats; Ishenim 24 seats; Yntymak 12 seats; Butun Kyrgyzstan 9 seats; Yiman Nuru 6 seats; Kyrgyzstan Party 5 seats; with remaining seats distributed among additional qualifying parties. The elections were monitored by international observers who noted both improvements and ongoing concerns regarding political pluralism and campaign conditions.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president); Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration

Political Parties

Adilet (Justice) Party [Toychubek KASYMOV]; Agrarian Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Erkin ALIYEV]; Alga, Kyrgyzstan (Forward, Kyrgyzstan) [Bolot BEGALIYEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan [Klara ADZHIBEKOVA]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Bektur ASANOV]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Future of Kyrgyzstan [Balbak TULEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyzstan (New Kyrgyzstan) [Dosbol NUR UULU]; Kairan El [Dooronbek SADYKOV]; Kyrgyz National Party [Bakyt BESHIMOV]; Kyrgyzstan Kelechegi [Ruslan CHYNYBAYEV]; Manas El (Party of Spiritual Restoration) [Chingiz AITMATOV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Joomart OTORBAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Bakytbek BEKBOYEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]

Head of State

President Sadyr JAPAROV

Head of Government

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek KASYMALIEV (since January 2024)

Cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, appointed solely by the president

Elections

The most recent parliamentary elections were held on 28 November 2021, replacing the previous legislature that had been dissolved following political unrest and mass protests in October 2020, which erupted over disputed election results and led to the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. A constitutional referendum in April 2021 introduced a new presidential system and expanded the legislature from 75 to 90 seats.

Election Results

Jogorku Kenesh — seats by party: Ata-Zhurt Kyrgyzstan 28 seats; Ishenim 24 seats; Yntymak 12 seats; Butun Kyrgyzstan 9 seats; Yiman Nuru 6 seats; Kyrgyzstan Party 5 seats; with remaining seats distributed among additional qualifying parties. The elections were monitored by international observers who noted both improvements and ongoing concerns regarding political pluralism and campaign conditions.

Constitution

adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature

Independence

31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

International Organization Participation

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA chancery: 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 telephone: [1] (202) 742-6604 FAX: [1] (202) 742-6501 consulate(s): New York

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Marie L. YOVANOVITCH embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 FAX: [996] (312) 551-264

Capital City

Bishkek

Location

42 52 N, 74 36 E

Time Difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

founded in 1868 as a Russian settlement on the site of a previously destroyed fortress named "Pishpek"; the name was retained and overtime became "Bishkek"

Embassy of the United States of America in the Kyrgyz Republic 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 Kyrgyz Republic Telephone: (996-312) 551-241 Facsimile: (996-312) 551-264 consularbishkek@state.gov

Military Branches

Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces)

Service Age and Obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary male military service in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; service obligation - 1 year, with optional fee-based 3-year service in the callup mobilization reserve; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations