Full name: The Kyrgyz Republic
Capital: Bishkek

Current constitution: 2010. A referendum was held on 27 June 2010, which approved a new constitution, in which the power of the president was much reduced and a single term limit was introduced.

Head of state: The head of state is a president, directly elected by universal adult suffrage. Under the 2010 Constitution, the presidential term of office is six years, non-renewable. Askar Akayev, first elected in October 1990, was deposed by popular uprising on 24 March 2005, left the country and was replaced on an acting basis by Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Bakiyev was elected president in July 2005, and sworn in on 14 August. He was re-elected in July 2009, but was forced from office in early April 2010 and left the country, and replaced by Roza Otunbayeva (a former foreign minister) as acting president at the head of an interim government. The interim government announced that it had received a letter of resignation from Bakiyev on 15 April, but Bakiyev was also said to have denied resigning. Otunbayeva was formally appointed interim president by decree of the interim government, to hold office until the end of 2011. This appointment was approved in the June 2010 constitutional referendum, and Otunbayeva was officially sworn in as interim president on 3 July.

Legislature: The legislature, the Supreme Council (Jogorku Kenesh), is unicameral. As elected in 2007, it has 90 members directly elected for a five-year term.

Executive: Under the current interim arrangements, the interim president chairs the government, pending the election of a new legislature.

Most recent elections:
- Presidential: 23 July 2009. The next election was scheduled for 10 October 2010, but has been postponed to late 2011.
- Legislative: 16 December 2007. The next election is scheduled for 10 October 2010.

Political makeup of government: In the 2007 legislative elections, held for the first time under a recently introduced multiparty system, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s Ak-Zhol party received nearly half the votes cast, and a large majority of the seats. (In previous legislative elections, a majority of members were elected to the Supreme Council as nonpartisan supporters of the then President Akayev.) Bakiyev was forced out of office on 7 April 2010 after more than 50 people were killed in clashes between police and opposition crowds protesting about government violations of basic rights. The minister of the interior was killed, and one of the deputy prime ministers taken hostage. Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov, who had been in office only since the previous October, resigned on 11 April, and an interim government, led by Acting President Roza Otunbayeva, was set up and sworn into office on 13 April. The minister of foreign affairs was appointed the following day. Parliament was dissolved: on 22 April it was announced that elections would be held in October 2010. A minister for youth affairs was appointed on 21 May, and a minister for education and science on 1 June. After the new constitution was adopted, it was announced that Otunbayeva, as interim president, would continue to chair the interim government until the October 2010 election.

Head of State
Roza Otunbayeva (f) — Interim President; Chair of the Interim Government

Interim Government
Almaz Sharshenovich Atambayev — First Deputy Chair; Economy
Temir Argembayevich Sariyev — Deputy Chair; Finance
Omurbek Chirkeshovich Tekebayev — Deputy Chair; Constitutional Reform
Azimbek Beknazarov — Deputy Chair; Co-ordinator of the Activities of the Prosecutor’s Offices and Courts
Ismail Isakovich Isakov — Defence
Ruslan Kazakbayev — Foreign Affairs
Bolot Sherniyazov — Internal Affairs
Keneshbek Asanbekovich Dushebayev — Chair of the State National Security Service
Emil Umetaliyev — Economic Regulation
Emilbek Salamatovich Kaptagayev — without portfolio
*Kanat Sadykov — Education and Science
Erkinbek Isakov — Transport
Sheraly Abdyldayev — State Property
Elmira Ibraimova (f) — Co-ordinator for the Social Sector and Public and Media Relations
Damira Niyazaliyeva (f) — Health
Osmonbek Artykbayev — Energy
Baytemir Ibrayev — Prosecutor-General
Edil Baysalov — Head of the Executive Office of the Chair of the Interim Government
Ryskeldi Mombekov — Culture
*Aliyasbek Alymkulov — Youth Affairs
Mukan Abylgaziyev — Director of the Social Fund
Kuban Kulmatov — Director of the State Customs Service
Temirkan Berenaliyev — Chair of the Fund of State Material Reserves
Adylbek Kasymaliyev — Chair of the State Tax Service
Bolot Elebesov — Chair of the State Fund for Compulsory Medical Insurance
Aybek Turganbayev — Military Prosecutor
Cholponkul Arabayev — Chair of the State Agency for Human Resources
Almambet Shikmamatov — Chair of the State Registration Service
Taalaybek Nuraliyev — Chair of the State Penal Service
Kubanychbek Mombekov — Chair of the Supreme Court