Key facts
- President Sadyr Japarov announced he plans to run for a second term in the next presidential election.
- The next presidential election in Kyrgyzstan is scheduled for January 24, 2027.
- Japarov came to power in October 2020 following street protests and won the presidency in January 2021.
- The Constitutional Court ruled that Japarov's current six-year term is his first, and the constitution allows for two five-year terms.
- Japarov has consolidated power and implemented policies aligning Kyrgyzstan more closely with authoritarian neighbors.
Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov has publicly stated his intention to run for a second term in the upcoming presidential election, which is now scheduled for January 24, 2027. This announcement follows earlier indications from his spokesman and comes as Japarov has consolidated power in the Central Asian nation, which was once considered the most democratic in the region.
Japarov initially came to power in October 2020 amid political turmoil and was elected president in January 2021. The country has a history of political instability, with three previous presidents ousted by popular protests. Japarov's consolidation of power includes populist moves such as the nationalization of the Kumtor gold mine and signing a border deal with Tajikistan. Kyrgyzstan has also introduced legislation similar to Russia's 'foreign agents' law and has seen several independent media outlets shut down.
The timing of the next election was adjusted after Japarov requested parliament to push back the date from October 18, 2026, to January 24, 2027. This move, along with a Constitutional Court ruling, clarified that Japarov's current six-year term counts as his first under the current constitution, which permits two five-year terms. The court's decision prevents a retroactive change to term limits, a practice seen in some neighboring Central Asian countries. The court's interpretation was sought after a public letter urged Japarov to call an early election, a move that also coincided with the firing of his ally, Kamchybek Tashiev, and led to arrests of signatories.