Didn't live up to expectations

**Failed to Live Up to Expectations**

Six months before the presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov announced his intention to run for president, emphasizing that opposition candidates would face no obstacles.

**A Friend, but Without Portfolio**

In a candid interview with renowned independent investigative journalist Ali Toktakunov, President Japarov not only revealed his immediate political plans but also made the sensational announcement that he intended to leave politics completely in 2027.

Sadyr Japarov assumed that his political ally, former head of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB), Kamchibek Tashiev, would be the current government's leading candidate. However, Japarov was unable to retire from the intense political life, as Tashiev's inner circle began to indulge in excessive indulgences.

"I thought that after my six-year presidential term ends in 2027, if Kamchy was ready, I wouldn't run for re-election. Kamchy would become president, and I would retire. That was my plan. I told him about it myself a year before... I lived abroad for four years, spent four years in prison, and spent the last six years as if under guard. My hair had turned gray, I had grandchildren, and I wanted to be with my family. I told him: 'Be prepared, cleanse your circle, educate your people,'" the president said.

Now, a whole group of former officials, including former members of the Zhogorku Kenesh, are undergoing a kind of "educational process" within the framework of high-profile criminal cases. Tashiev himself eventually ended up in the dock. The trial court found him guilty of plotting a violent seizure of power, but the verdict was appealed.

According to the president, the negative reaction was caused by attempts by supporters of the former head of the special services to sow discord in the work of the executive and legislative branches. This could threaten the socio-political stability that has been maintained in Kyrgyzstan for the past five years. During this period, rallies have become extremely rare in one of the most revolutionary republics in the CIS, as the level of politicization of the population has decreased to a minimum.

Sadyr Japarov saw the initiatives of the group of public figures who signed the "Letter of 75" as a direct threat of dividing the country along regional lines. This was precisely what Tashiev cited as one of the key reasons for his resignation.

"This is unacceptable. You can't divide people. I will severely punish those who divide the people into north and south, because the people have only just begun to unite. So don't be offended, I'm removing you from office. If you run for office, I will create all the conditions for you to do so," the president said.

He reiterated that he still considers his recent political ally a friend, but no longer sees any prospects for him to hold any high-ranking office.

**Reforms require a second term**

Sadyr Japarov explained his decision to run again in the upcoming January 2027 elections by his desire to complete the reforms he had begun and, most likely, advance the implementation of global infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and the Kambarata-1 Hydroelectric Power Station. The head of state also previously announced plans to make Kyrgyzstan one of the world's 50 best tourist destinations by 2030.

It must be assumed that the timing of the president's announcement of his political decision was also no coincidence. Just a few weeks remain until one of the most important political events not only on the regional but also global agenda – the SCO summit in Bishkek.

Most member countries of this influential international organization are interested in maximum socio-political stability within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). It's clear that most SCO leaders attribute this stability in Kyrgyzstan to the country's current leadership and are interested in predictability in both the pre- and post-election periods.

After all, the "Shanghai Spirit" region has already seen its share of political instability over the past year. The volatile situation on the Indian-Pakistani border, active fighting in areas of Afghanistan adjacent to Tajikistan, and military and political tensions in the Middle East are directly linked to the need to strengthen security in Central Asia, which remains a key region for the SCO.

**The Path to the Presidency Is Open to Everyone**

Ali Toktakunov asked the head of state whether his most implacable opponents would be able to participate in Kyrgyzstan's main elections.

"The road is open. Anyone who wants to run can do so. As they say, good riddance to them. We will not restrict anyone. The elections will be transparent, and there will be no obstacles for competitors," Sadyr Japarov assured the journalist.

The president also promised that administrative pressure on public sector employees, as well as other violations, would be eliminated during the election campaign.

The low voter turnout observed in the republic over the past six years indirectly confirms the president's assertion that administrative resources are no longer used by the authorities to manipulate the votes of state employees, as was the case during the Akayev and Bakiyev eras. Another powerful lever from the recent election campaign—vote buying—has also long since become part of the story of "dirty" election tactics.

Starting in 2024, various options for returning the majority of the electorate to the polls are being considered at all levels. The introduction of remote voting, which allowed voters to vote outside their registered address, has not improved turnout statistics at all.

This time, voting day will be Wednesday instead of Sunday. However, it is currently extremely difficult to predict how this innovation and the continued pay of employees will ultimately impact turnout.

There's also complete silence regarding the emergence of potential presidential contenders. Perhaps Sadyr Japarov's announcement will break this political silence, and we'll soon see a parade of candidates in the media.

Igor Shestakov, Director of the Oy Ordo Center for Expert Initiatives (Bishkek)