Kyrgyzstan headed to the polls on Sunday for a snap parliamentary election widely expected to deliver a sweeping victory for allies of President Sadyr Japarov, further consolidating his grip over the country’s political system.

The vote is taking place without formal political parties or organised opposition blocs, marking a sharp departure from Kyrgyzstan’s long-standing reputation as Central Asia’s most politically open society. Analysts say the election will strengthen Japarov’s position ahead of the 2027 presidential race, where he is expected to seek another term.

Japarov’s Expanding Power

Since rising to power in 2020 following mass protests that toppled his predecessor, Japarov — a populist with strong nationalist rhetoric — has tightened control over state institutions, civil society and the media. Once known for vigorous public debate and relatively free journalism, Kyrgyzstan has seen an unprecedented clampdown, with independent journalists designated as “extremists” and opposition voices subdued.

The snap election was triggered when parliament voted in September to dissolve itself, bringing forward a contest that was originally due in late 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov, a close ally of Japarov, defended the government’s consolidation of power, saying the turbulence of past decades had failed to deliver stability or improved living standards. “The first 30 years we spent trying to copy,” he told Reuters. “We thought adopting a Westminster-style parliamentary system would make us live like Western countries. But it did not work — and it will not work.”

Baisalov also justified restrictions on the media, saying they were necessary to shield the country from “negative sentiments” spread via foreign social media platforms.

Opposition Marginalised but Present

Some opposition candidates remain on the ballot, including Bolot Ibragimov in the capital, Bishkek. However, he acknowledged the dominance of pro-Japarov factions, predicting that around 80% of incumbent lawmakers aligned with the president would be returned to office.

Economic Boom Complicated by Sanctions Pressure

Despite public frustration over rising inflation and recurring electricity shortages, Japarov enjoys support buoyed by strong economic growth — currently the fastest in Central Asia. Much of this expansion is driven by Kyrgyzstan’s role as a key transit hub for goods redirected to Russia in response to Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

This rerouting has drawn scrutiny: the United States and European countries have imposed sanctions on several Kyrgyz banks and cryptocurrency firms, accusing them of helping Russia circumvent export restrictions.

Moscow’s Influence on Full Display

In the run-up to Sunday’s vote, Japarov has deepened ties with Russia, a traditional ally and the host country for hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz migrant workers. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Bishkek last week for bilateral talks, with his image plastered across billboards around the capital — a conspicuous sign of Moscow’s political weight in the country.

As polls continue, observers say the election is less a contest of ideas than a step toward cementing Japarov’s long-term rule, marking yet another turn away from the political pluralism that once distinguished Kyrgyzstan from its Central Asian neighbours. (ILKHA)