Kyrgyzstan

by Vladimir Rozanskij | KYRGYZSTAN

A proposal to modify the voting regulations is causing controversy in Bishkek. It would impose registration fees three times higher than the current ones on aspiring members of parliament in order to be able to present their candidacy. ‘Only the rich will be able to stand for election’.

Peace between Dushanbe and Bishkek and its advantages

by Vladimir Rozanskij | KYRGYZSTAN - TAJIKISTAN

Bishkek discovers children's books

by Vladimir Rozanskij | KYRGYZSTAN
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The ‘patriarchal’ traditions of the region seem to be increasingly shifting towards the female faces of the local ‘dynasties’. This is confirmed by the sudden emergence from the shadows of Oguldžakhan Atabaeva, sister of theTurkmen President, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, and daughter of the President-father Gurbanguly.

| 14/04/2025
| TURKMENISTAN
by Vladimir Rozanskij

While mosques are filling up with large crowds from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan, commercial initiatives related to the Muslim holy month are multiplying. And most telephone operators are also offering electronic almsgiving services, with QR codes approved by religious administrations.

| 18/03/2025
| CENTRAL ASIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The agreement between Kyrgyz and Tajiks-sealed by the embrace between Žaparov and Rakhmon-affects as much as 1,000 kilometers of border and and comes after discussions and clashes dating back to the twentieth century, when both states were under Moscow's control. As recently as three years ago, armed clashes had occurred with several casualties on both sides.

| 17/03/2025
| CENTRAL ASIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Every year a festival is dedicated to the kalpak, the typical white double-pointed headdress of the Kyrgyz people. Its shape is reminiscent of the snow-capped peaks of the country's mountain ranges. A symbol of dignity, wisdom and honour, according to tradition it cannot be thrown away or even donated or sold to others: it can only be passed on to one's descendants.

| 07/03/2025
| KYRGYZSTAN
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The company Yandex has increased the percentages for taxi drivers, and has stifled all the other players in the market for the transport of people and goods (including Uber) in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The measures launched by the local antitrust agencies have been ineffective.

| 25/02/2025
| CENTRAL ASIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

In view of the 2026 elections, the only Central Asian country without a ruling dynasty is discussing a new change to the voting system. Each voter would be given the opportunity to choose three candidates in their constituency to ‘vote for people and not for parties’.

| 21/02/2025
| KYRGYZSTAN
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