The Kyrgyz Republic Presidential Elections: No surprises but few opportunities for democratisation

As expected, Kurmanbek Bakiev won the presidential elections held on July 23rd in Kyrgyzstan by a huge margin. This presidential election is a new step in the process of concentration of power by Kurmanbek Bakiev and the growing consolidation of a ‘simulated democracy’ system, far from the expectations generated during the early 1990s. The opposition, headed by Atambaev (8% votes), has denounced the validity of the entire process and has organised some public protests, although only a few people have appeared on the streets.