KYRGYZSTAN: Political opportunism in a time of flux
Democracy protests achieved rapid impact in Kyrgyzstan, although with potentially troubling consequences. In the October parliamentary election, with proper election observation an impossibility, it soon became clear that pro-government parties had taken the opportunity to cheat. Twelve opposition parties came together to reject the results. The fraud had gone too far, and people took to the streets as soon as the results were announced.
The election took place against the backdrop of growing discontent with the social and economic difficulties caused by the pandemic, as well as growing anti-government sentiments among the population.
Ulugbek Azimov
