Administration Infighting Prompts Speculation on President's Political Future in Kyrgyzstan

Ongoing protests in southern Kyrgyzstan, coupled with concerns about energy supplies, are fostering fears of instability this coming winter. In addition, some observers say splits in President Askar Akayev's team are becoming apparent amidst the building opposition to the administration. The administration infighting is, in turn, prompting speculation about Akayev's political future.

Akayev at present appears to be in control of the government, and has given no public statements that he has even considered leaving office before his presidential term expires in 2005. Nevertheless, some Kyrgyz politicians are wondering whether ongoing instability might prompt Akayev to follow former Russian President Boris Yeltsin's example, by engineering a transfer of power.

After a brief period of relative calm, protests have again started in southern Kyrgyzstan. The cause of popular unrest this time was the government's disqualification of a candidate in a parliamentary by-election. Usen Sydykov had won the first round of the vote in the southern town of Kara-Kulja before being ruled ineligible for supposed election irregularities. The run-off vote has been postponed indefinitely. The government action sparked immediate protests by Sydykov's supporters, who have now launched a march on Bishkek.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev sought to ease public concerns about a looming energy crisis. During a November 4 radio interview, Tanayev said: "I can say clearly that this time those structures that are responsible for heating in the winter have done their job.