Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan’s “Tulip Revolution” became official this week, after President Askar Akayev formally stepped down. His resignation made the transfer of power to an interim government legal under the post-Soviet constitution, and cleared the way for a presidential election in June. Akayev fled to Russia last month during an uprising protesting his party’s alleged electoral fraud. He signed his resignation grudgingly at the Kyrgyz Embassy in Moscow, after receiving a guarantee that he would not be prosecuted for anything he did during his 14 years as head of state. “This has nothing to do with a revolution,” Akayev said. “It was a putsch.”
Subscribe to 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.
-
Arts on prescription: why doctors are prescribing museums and comedyIn The Spotlight Stressed-out patients in Switzerland are being prescribed a trip to the museum to boost their mental wellbeing
-
Cosy cabins for a country escapeThe Week Recommends Slow down and take in the nature at these amazing. secluded retreats
-
Scottish hospitality shines at these 7 hotelsThe Week Recommends Sleep well at these lovely inns across Scotland
