Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Kurmanbek Bakiyev, a leader of Kyrgyzstan’s uprising last spring, was elected president this week by an overwhelming majority of nearly 90 percent. Such a landslide could seem suspiciously reminiscent of Soviet-era rigged elections, but local democracy activists said the balloting was legitimate. They said the vote was more a rejection of the old, Russocentric regime than an endorsement of Bakiyev personally. Bakiyev, 55, has been acting president of the former Soviet republic since Askar Akayev fled to Russia in March. “I don’t feel a tremendous joy or euphoria,” Bakiyev said. “But I feel huge responsibility.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
October 5 editorial cartoonsCartoons Sunday's political cartoons include half-truth hucksters, Capitol lockdown, and more
-
Jaguar Land Rover’s cyber bailoutTalking Point Should the government do more to protect business from the ‘cyber shockwave’?
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered
