Atambaiev, "another Putin," new President of Kyrgyzstan
by Nina Achmatova
The Social Democratic prime minister won the first elections after the riots and violence last year. With him, the country is close to Moscow, to the detriment of the United States.
Bishkek (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The first presidential elections since the revolution that ousted the then President Kurmanbek Bakiev last year has seen Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaiev elected the new Kyrgyz head of state. The election results are not yet definitive but votes counted so far point to his victory. Called "the other Putin" at home, Atambaiev has close links to Russia, to the detriment of the U.S., which both have military interests there.
Fifty-five years old, the Social Democratic Prime Minister has against won about 63% of the vote on 95% of polling stations counted in the first round. The announcement came from the chairman of the election of the former Soviet republic in Central Asia, Touigounaly Abdraimov.
Before joining the uprising against Bakiyev, Atambaiev he had experience as his prime minister and tried to push the former leader to make reforms, thus giving the incumbant the image of a pragmatic leader and lover of stability. His candidacy was backed by outgoing president, Roza Otunbayeva, the woman who led the Kyrgyzistan parliamentary system, the only example of its kind in Central Asia.
Minority Uzbeks in the South also voted for Atambaiev, convinced that his leadership could prevent a repeat of the violence of 2010. Then, between June10 to 14, clashes between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz communities in the areas of Osh and Jalal-Abad left at least 470 dead and caused hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, three months after the uprising that had ousted Bakiev. According to local observers, 74% of the victims Uzbek were 25% Kyrgyz.
Atambaiev, "Another Putin"
Kyrgyzstan plays a strategic role on the Central Asian chessboard and is host to U.S. and Russian military bases. But with the new president the influence of the Kremlin could increase.
Atambaiev is close to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the likely next president. He has visited him several times, building strong ties with Moscow. In the past he has warned the U.S. that the license for their air base may not be renewed after the deadline in 2014 and recently Bishkek signed a free trade agreement between the nations of the former Soviet space under the aegis of Russia. His government has even dedicated a mountain, the Tien Shan, to Vladimir Putin.
The new Kyrgyz president will take office in early 2012 with a six-year term and appoint the Minister of Defense and national security chief.
Fifty-five years old, the Social Democratic Prime Minister has against won about 63% of the vote on 95% of polling stations counted in the first round. The announcement came from the chairman of the election of the former Soviet republic in Central Asia, Touigounaly Abdraimov.
Before joining the uprising against Bakiyev, Atambaiev he had experience as his prime minister and tried to push the former leader to make reforms, thus giving the incumbant the image of a pragmatic leader and lover of stability. His candidacy was backed by outgoing president, Roza Otunbayeva, the woman who led the Kyrgyzistan parliamentary system, the only example of its kind in Central Asia.
Minority Uzbeks in the South also voted for Atambaiev, convinced that his leadership could prevent a repeat of the violence of 2010. Then, between June10 to 14, clashes between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz communities in the areas of Osh and Jalal-Abad left at least 470 dead and caused hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, three months after the uprising that had ousted Bakiev. According to local observers, 74% of the victims Uzbek were 25% Kyrgyz.
Atambaiev, "Another Putin"
Kyrgyzstan plays a strategic role on the Central Asian chessboard and is host to U.S. and Russian military bases. But with the new president the influence of the Kremlin could increase.
Atambaiev is close to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the likely next president. He has visited him several times, building strong ties with Moscow. In the past he has warned the U.S. that the license for their air base may not be renewed after the deadline in 2014 and recently Bishkek signed a free trade agreement between the nations of the former Soviet space under the aegis of Russia. His government has even dedicated a mountain, the Tien Shan, to Vladimir Putin.
The new Kyrgyz president will take office in early 2012 with a six-year term and appoint the Minister of Defense and national security chief.
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