- Global Voices - https://globalvoices.org -

Kyrgyzstan: Debates over President and Parliament

Categories: Central Asia & Caucasus, Kyrgyzstan, Elections, Politics

Edil Baisalov’s personal blog [1], one of the most visited blogs in Kyrgyzstan has not been updated since 4 December, 2007. The activeness of his blog went down after he was found guilty for illegally publishing a voting ballot before the elections on his blog as was assumed by the members of the Central Election Committee of Kyrgyz Republic. Baisalov was a member of the Social Democratic Party and a candidate for the deputy. After the scandal over the ballot [2], he as local media informed fled the country and rumors say that he now resides in Kazakhstan.

Anyways, Elena Skochilo’s personal blog [3] has become lately very popular as well, as her posts spur lots of interesting discussion on topics in politics, economy and society among bloggers of Kyrgyzstan. Last discussion on her blog was about the lady who several years ago foresaw that Kurmanbek Bakiev becomes a president of the country and also said that the next president after Bakiev would be a young man, who lives now in another country. Elena says [4]:

Edil, come back, maybe you will become our next president!

Nuraika notes [4]:

It would be really good if Edil became a president. But to be honest, I do not think he will ever become.

Mr. Carlson shares his opinion as well [4]:

Even though Edil is too young to be eligible for presidency, he is not less professional and competent than our current president, despite the age difference. But first of all, he should return to the country. This is the saddest part of our discussion.

The newly elected members of Parliament are going to be supplied with official cars from now and on, announced Adahan Madumarov, Speaker of Parliament. Moreover, those deputies who have no place to live in the capital city will be also provided with flats. No wonder why such announcement created so much anger and dissatisfaction among Kyrgyz bloggers. For instance, makaroff says [5]:

All deputies have their own flats and houses already. For example, Shadiev has 3 houses, so does Junusov.

Magnetic thinks [6]:

Houses, flats, cars, petrol, cellphones, business trips… Their children go to private expensive school, universities and they are sent abroad to study. What for do we need such deputies? Tell me, what have they done for their people and country?

Kovboi asks [6]:

How come those deputies who spent huge amount of money for preelection campaign have no flats? Absolute nonsense.