Kyrgyzstan PM Sadyr Japarov claims presidential powers after post-election unrest
- Sooronbay Jeenbekov earlier announced his resignation in a bid to end the turmoil that has engulfed the Central Asian nation
- Kyrgyzstan, a country of 6.5 million people located on the border with China, was plunged into chaos following an October 4 vote
Kyrgyzstan’s new Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov on Thursday claimed presidential powers after head of state Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigned amid a post-vote crisis.
“The powers of the president and the prime minister have been transferred to me,” Sadyr Zhaparov told cheering supporters on Thursday, citing Jeenbekov’s resignation and the parliament speaker’s refusal to become acting president. “I congratulate you on victory. Today everything fell into place.”
Jeenbekov earlier announced his resignation in a bid to end the turmoil that has engulfed the Central Asian nation after a disputed parliamentary election.
Jeenbekov, who has faced calls to step down from protesters and political opponents, said in a statement released by his office that holding onto power wasn’t “worth the integrity of our country and harmony in society”.
“For me, peace in Kyrgyzstan, the country’s integrity, the unity of our people and the calm in the society are above all else,” Jeenbekov said.