On April 11, Kyrgyzstani citizens will head to the polls for the third time in six months to vote on a controversial constitutional referendum that would enhance the political power of the president, allow presidents to run for a second term, and push through initiatives designed to weaken the parliament. It has been a tumultuous half-year in Kyrgyzstan, which has witnessed a seemingly endless series of political crises, including the collapse of the former government, a short period of violent unrest, and the rise of convicted criminal Sadyr Japarov to the country’s presidency. Meanwhile, the social, economic, and public health repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to endanger human security in the Central Asian country.
Please join us for a discussion on the upcoming referendum, its implications for Kyrgyzstan’s turbulent political trajectory, the prospect of greater authoritarianism, and other pressing socio-economic issues facing the country.
This event is held in partnership with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
