Kyrgyzstan’s Elections Paint A Mixed Picture of Democracy in Central Asia

Often hailed as an “island of democracy” in Central Asia, this rosy picture of Kyrgyzstan is undercut by problems and irregularities that render democracy in Kyrgyzstan little more than a mirage.

by Cristina Maza

In a region replete with corrupt dictators, Kyrgyzstan is often hailed as an “island of democracy” in Central Asia.

The country’s parliamentary elections, which were held on October 4th 2015 with minimal irregularities according to international election monitors, seemed to confirm Kyrgyzstan’s ability to hold “lively” and competitive elections. They were also the first electoral contest to be held since a new constitution, passed in 2010, increased parliament’s powers.

Although the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK), which is backed by President Almazbek Atambayev, won a clear majority with 27 percent of the vote, five other political parties succeeded in passing the 7 percent threshold needed to secure a seat in the legislature. This result is expected to ensure that no one party will be able to maintain a political monopoly in the country.

Despite this rosy picture, however, Central Asia analysts from across the spectrum are skeptical about the legitimacy of Kyrgyz democracy in general. These experts have pointed to shifting international alliances, and the lack of concrete political policies on the part of this year’s parliamentary candidates, as proof that democracy in Kyrgyzstan is little more than a mirage.