The apparent regime change in Kyrgyzstan will either prove that the country is destined to regain its image of an “island of democracy” in Central Asia or that it is doomed to fail because of weak political institutions and deep social divisions.
After five disastrous years under President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s authoritarian rule, revolutionary change is desired and feared at the same time. It is unclear whether the provisional government will be able to curb corruption and implement effective political and economic reforms. Before it can even think about tackling those tasks, however, the provisional government has to defeat Bakiyev’s attempts to reclaim power.
Read Full Article »