Kyrgyzstan’s New Parliament Annuls June 26 Presidential Election Date

Kyrgyzstan's unicameral parliament has repealed a resolution adopted by the former bicameral legislature that set June 26 as the date for the country's special presidential election. A new election date will be set only after legislators review the issue of former President Askar Akayev's resignation.

Parliament on April 7 postponed debate on Akayev's resignation for a third straight day. Akayev submitted his resignation on April 4 in Moscow. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Some lawmakers want to remove Akayev via impeachment, rather than permitting him to resign.

In a video-recorded message viewed by MPs, Akayev predicted that history will be kind to his administration, insisting that his policies were "guided by my human and civil duty before my own people, as well as by humanistic motives." He went on to characterize the revolutionary events of March 24 as a "national catastrophe," while stressing that he ordered security forces to refrain from shooting protesters and, thus, "prevented civil war." [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

"The recognition of Kyrgyzstan as an island of democracy was our triumph," he said. He also claimed credit for making limited progress in the area of economic reform, despite substantial obstacles imposed by "objective factors."

While parliament grapples with the question of how to handle Akayev's exit from the political stage, those who wish to succeed him are already busy positioning themselves for the presidential election, whenever it is held.

Feliks Kulov, Akayev's former vice president who was jailed after his transformation into a leading presidential critic, is working to reverse the convictions against him, thus clearing the way to run in the special election. Kulov has always maintained that the abuse-of-power charges against him were politically motivated – designed to remove a threat to Akayev's authority. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court overturned one of the convictions against Kulov on April 6 and was due to review the second conviction on April 7. If cleared to run, Kulov is viewed as the main challenger to Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who heads the provisional government. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

EurasiaNet recently spoke to Adakhan Madumarov -- a former member of parliament and prominent politician from southern Kyrgyzstan -- who declared his presidential candidacy shortly after Akayev's ouster. Madumarov side-stepped a question about the provisional government's legitimacy, while stressing that Kyrgyzstan's future leadership team should primarily consist of technocrats who operate above the current North-South rivalry that is hampering the political process. The text of the interview follows:

EurasiaNet: What do you think about the acting government: is it legitimate?
Madumarov: We'd better not argue about legitimacy now, as the present situation appears to be quite difficult. As I have said from the start, if you are going to try to find constitutional justification [to support the provisional government's legitimacy], you will fail. If you are going to try to find any legal way out, you will fail. What you need is a practical attitude, an act of will, as no side was prepared for the events that happened [on March 24]. That was like a bolt from the blue. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. To my mind, it is too early to grade this [provisional] government as effective or not. I can only voice the people's attitude, and it is unfavorable, that is all I can say.

EurasiaNet: Who stood behind the Osh and Jalal-Abad events in early March – the protests that led to the occupation of administrative buildings? [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Madumarov: I was not in it, so I do not know. However, you can direct such questions to the heads of the law enforcement and special services. I think that if they were in control of situation in republic, in the South, they should know.

EurasiaNet: You have announced your intention to run for presidency. What is the reason for your decision?
Madumarov: The reason is that the parliament has set the date for the presidential election. [Editor's note: the legislative decision to hold the vote on June 26 was rescinded, and no new election date has been set as yet].

EurasiaNet: If elected, who would you nominate as prime minister?
Madumarov: I would propose Daniar Usenov, who is a prominent politician. Usenov is [also] a well-known entrepreneur. He is one of those who at the very dawn of the market reforms realized what it is, and he has became one of the country's most successful executives. He is successful even today, despite unending lawsuits and political persecution. Usenov is on the board of directors of Kazakh Temirbank, which holds a majority interest in Kyrgyz Ineximbank. In fact, Akayev's clan tried to ruin his business here, but Usenov reappeared like a phoenix and got up on his feet again. Usenov is a young, vigorous, sober-minded man, and he is prudent. ... When the new government comes [to power], it will have to promote new politicians, with new thinking and new vision. The task of such a group would be to take republic to a new level of development.

EurasiaNet: Are you talking about entrepreneurs, new managers?
Madumarov: You know, if I win election, the cabinet of ministers will be of a purely technocratic character. I do not care about political views and political biases. I prefer an expert, good specialist, one who knows his business. As for the way somebody looks at me, or whether I like him or not, this is a question of minor importance.

EurasiaNet: What should be the top priority for Kyrgyzstan's parliament?
Madumarov: Parliament has to resolve the task of stabilization. This is a primary task. Secondly, it should not engage today in the distribution of portfolios. To my mind, the right thing - once the government becomes legitimate – is to go to the regions and calm the people down. And to put an end to the situation of dual power, or triple power. Those who have influence, and force at hand, they are beginning to seize the power in the regions starting with villages. Parliament's position should be firm. It has the capability, strength and finances to put an end to unlawful actions of this kind.