Central Asia

Kyrgyz Parties Say Rule Change Undermines Election

A new requirement set by election officials could make it almost impossible for parties to win seats in parliament.

Kyrgyzstan's Celebrity Parties

The revival in political activity in the run up to elections has not resulted in the emergence of strong parties.

Parties Priced Out of Kyrgyz Election Campaign

Politicians from the poorer parties complain that the high cost of TV adverts in the election period makes it impossible to buy their fair share of airtime.

Dreams of Landslide Unlikely for President's Party

Ak Jol is often likened to the presidential parties in Russia and Kazakstan, but the comparisons don’t go very far.

Opposition Claims Election Bias

As parties and NGOs accuse the electoral commission of stacking the decks in favour of the president’s party, there are warnings of protests ahead.

Personality Politics May Turn Off Kyrgyz Voters

Failure of parties to offer voters distinctive policies may result in a low turnout in the weekend parliamentary election.

Thumbs Down for Uzbek Bank Reform

The government wants everyone to open a bank account, but many people are too poor or too canny to trust an institution with their hard-earned cash.

Breaking Down the Uzbek-Tajik Border Divide

A shooting incident underlines how two neighbouring nations are divided by diplomatic animosity as well as fences.

China's Road Into Kyrgyzstan

New Rail Link to Open Central Asia to Iran

Transnational rail project connecting Iran with Turkmenistan and Kazakstan could have major strategic and trade implications for the region.