Anis H. Bajrektarevic is a Professor and a Chairperson for International Law and Global

parties, Respublika is right-wing and liberal
(more right-wing) and focuses on the following
principles: “nationhood, progress, cooperation,
equality and responsibility, Eurasian vector of
development and economic prosperity.”[60]
In April 2010, another political upheaval took
place, which resulted in the resignation of for-
mer President Bakiev. In June 2010, a referen-
dum devoted to changing the former republic
type of government into a parliamentary
democracy was successful, and legitimized the
position of Roza Otunbayeva as President,
which she took over in April 7, 2010. According
to election observer of the OSCE, the elections
confirmed that “fundamental freedoms” have
been respected. Current President Almazbek
Atambayev was elected in a Kyrgyz presidential
election in 2011 and he took over the Presi-
dency in December 2011. He is to serve one six-
year term. He is a member of the Social
Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan, unlike its Central Asian neighbors,
is a fragile democracy and does have political
party pluralism. There are several political par-
ties in the country: the Social Democratic Party
of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK), Ata-Meken, Ata-Jurt, Ar-
Namys, and Respublika. 
The SDPK was formed in 1994 and is social-de-
mocrat in political orientation and is the most
prominent political party in Kyrgyzstan.[54]
Ata-Menken (Fatherland) Party joined the gov-
ernment led coalition in 2010 with the SDPK,
Respublika and Ar-Namys, but withdrew from
the faction in 2010. Ata-Meken is one of the old-
est political parties in Kyrgyzstan, being estab-
lished in 1992 and split from the Erkin
Kyrgyzstan Party.[55] Ata-Meken also partici-
pated in all Parliamentary elections. 
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The Kyrgyz political parties, although in a coali-
tion, are often divided on issues of national in-
terest such as Kumtor Gold Mine and political
reform.
On October 4, 2015 Kyrgystan’s Parliamentary
elections were held nationwide. Half of the 5.8
million voters who are eligible to vote are ex-
pected to participate in the national parliamen-
tary elections; 500,000 to 800,000 Kyrgyz
citizens who live abroad are expected to vote in
the elections. There are 14 parties (over 2,000
candidates) competing for the 120 seats in Par-
liament also referred to as the Supreme Council,
the Jogorku Kengesh. The participating parties
were: the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan 
(SDPK), Ata-Meken (Fatherland), the Respublika
Ata-Jurt (also Fatherland) party, Bir Bol, the Kyr-
gyzstan party, and Butun Kyrgyzstan Emgek
(United Kyrgyzstan Labor), the Onuugu-
Progress party. Some other parties such as Ar-
Namys (Dignity). Ata-Meken and Respublika
Ata-Ju anrt merged into one party in October
2014. The SDPK captured most of the seats.
The success of the parliamentary elections per-
mits Kyrgyzstan to keep its status as a democ-
racy among autocratic and oppressive regimes.
Based on preliminary results (with all votes not
counted), the parties that were re-elected to
the Supreme Council have pro-Russian policies,
extending Kyrgyzstan’s close relationship with
Russia.
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