The President of Kyrgyzstan is the head of state and the highest official of the Kyrgyz Republic. The President, according to the constitution, "is the symbol of the unity of people and state power, and is the guarantor of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, and of an individual and citizen." They are directly elected for no more than two, five year terms by the Kyrgyz electorate. The office of President was established in 1990 replacing the Chairman of the Supreme Council that existed from 1936 whilst the country was known as the Kirghiz SSR.

The previous, and thus far only, popularly-elected office-holder is Askar Akayev, who resigned on March 24, 2005.

Election

Qualifications

The office of President is open to all citizens of Kyrgyzstan, who are no younger than 35 years of age, and no older than 65 years of age. They must have a command of the state language, and have resided in the Republic for no less than 15 years before the nomination of their candidacy for the position. They cannot be a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament), occupy other positions or carry out entrepreneurial activities and must suspend activity in political parties and organizations for his or her period of stay in office.

On taking office the President must take the following oath, stipulated by Article 45 of the constitution, within 30 days of election before the assembled members of the legislative chamber:

"I, ..., while taking the obligations of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, before my People and the Sacred Motherland Ala-Too do swear:

to observe and protect the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic;

to guard the sovereignty and independence of the Kyrgyz State;

to respect and guarantee the rights and freedoms of all citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic; to perform faithfully the high duties of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic entrusted to me by the confidence of all the People!"

Electoral Law

The President is elected by the citizens of Kyrgyzstan by a majority of votes cast. These elections are held on the basis of universal suffrage, and by secret ballot. To become a candidate a person must obtain the signatures of fifty thousand registered voters.

For an election to be considered valid the turnout must not be lower than fifty percent. Similarly, if a candidate wins the backing of fifty percent of the voters who participated he is considered the winner. Should no candidate win an outright majority in the first round, the two candidates with the highest number of votes face each other in a second ballot.

Duties and functions

The head of state holds significant power as provided for in the constitution. This states that they have the authority to:

• Appoint the Prime Minister and other members of government

• Present candidates to Parliament for positions within the Supreme Court

• Direct foreign policy

• Present and sign law

• Announce all elections and enact decrees

• Be Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces

Impeachment

The President may be dismissed from office by Parliament only on the basis of a charge made by the Legislative Assembly of state treason or another grievous crime supported by a ruling of the Constitutional Court. Such a decision requires the support of two-thirds of the Jogorku Kenesh who are immediately dismissed should the President be found innocent.

Succession

If the President becomes unable to carry out their duties for reasons such as death, illness or impeachment, the Prime Minister shall carry out their duties until the election of a new Head of State. This must take place within three months of the termination of their Presidency.

List of Presidents of Kyrgyzstan

• Askar Akayev (October 27, 1990 – March 24, 2005)
• Ishenbai Kadyrbekov (March 24, 2005 – March 25, 2005)
• Kurmanbek Bakiyev (March 25, 2005 – )

See also

• Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan
• Politics of Kyrgyzstan

External links

• Official webpage
• Kyrgyzstan Constitution