President of Kyrgyzstan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Kyrgyz Republic
Presidential standard
Presidential seal
Incumbent Sadyr Japarov since 28 January 2021
Style	Mr. President (informally) Comrade Commander-in-Chief (military) His Excellency (international correspondence)
Member of	Cabinet Security Council
Residence	Yntymak Ordo, Bishkek
Seat	Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Appointer	Direct popular vote
Term length	5 years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Kyrgyzstan
Precursor	Chairmen of the Supreme Soviet of the Kirghiz SSR
Inaugural holder	Askar Akayev
Formation	27 October 1990; 34 years ago (1990-10-27)
Salary	1 281 609 som/US$ 14,660 annually

The President of Kyrgyzstan is the country's main leader. They are officially called the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. This person is both the head of state and the head of government. This means they represent the country and lead its government.

The president is in charge of the government's executive branch. They are also the commander-in-chief of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces, which means they lead the military. The president also heads the National Security Council.

According to the country's constitution, the president shows the unity of the people and the government. They also make sure the Constitution is followed. They protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.

The job of president started in 1990. Before that, the country had a leader called the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet. This was when Kyrgyzstan was known as the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic.

The first president chosen by the people was Askar Akayev. He served from October 1990 until March 2005. After a big event called the Tulip Revolution in 2005, Kurmanbek Bakiyev was elected. He was re-elected in 2009. But in April 2010, large public protests made him resign and leave the country.

Roza Otunbayeva was chosen in April 2010 to lead a temporary government. She became president on July 3, 2010, for a short time. This was until new elections could be held. Her successor, Almazbek Atambayev, was elected in 2011. He took office on December 1, 2011.

On October 16, 2017, Sooronbay Jeenbekov became president. He used to be the prime minister. He started his term on November 24, 2017. On October 15, 2020, Jeenbekov resigned. This happened after public protests about the parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov then became the acting president. He was confirmed as the 6th and current president on October 16, 2020. He officially took office on January 28, 2021.

Taking the Oath of Office

When a new president starts their job, they make a special promise. They raise their right arm and place it on the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan. Then they say an oath.

Here is what the oath means in English:

I, (full name), becoming the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, before my people and the sacred homeland of Ala-Too, I promise to respect and protect the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic and its laws. I will protect the country's independence. I will respect and make sure all citizens have their rights and freedoms. I will honorably and tirelessly do the important duties of the President, which the people have trusted me with! May God protect us!

How a President is Chosen

Who Can Be President?

To become president, a person must be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan. They must be at least 35 years old but no older than 65. Candidates must speak the official state language. They also need to have lived in Kyrgyzstan for at least 15 years before running for president.

A president cannot be a member of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament). They cannot hold other jobs or run businesses. They must also stop their activities in political parties while they are in office.

Election Rules

The citizens of Kyrgyzstan choose the president. They vote directly, and the person with the most votes wins. These elections are fair and secret. To become a candidate, a person needs to get 50,000 signatures from registered voters.

For an election to be valid, at least half of the voters must participate. If a candidate wins more than half of the votes, they become president. If no one gets more than half in the first round, the top two candidates have a second election.

Inauguration Ceremony

The inauguration ceremony is a special event. It marks the beginning of a new president's term in Kyrgyzstan.

Past Inauguration Ceremonies

Presidential Homes

Sooronbay Jeenbekov meeting Ilham Aliyev at the Cholpon-Ata State Residence.

The president has several official homes and offices:

• Yntymak Ordo (Palace of Unity): This is the newest presidential palace in Kyrgyzstan. It opened in August 2024 in Bishkek.
• White House, Bishkek: This building has been used since 1985.
• Central Committee Building, Bishkek: This was used before 1985.
• Ala-Archa State Residence
• Cholpon-Ata State Residence
• Jalal-Abad State Residence
• South State Residence

What the President Does

The president has many important jobs and powers, as stated in the constitution:

• They choose the Prime Minister and other government members.
• They suggest candidates for the Supreme Court to the Parliament.
• They lead the country's foreign policy. This means how Kyrgyzstan deals with other countries.
• They present and sign new laws.
• They announce all elections and issue official orders called decrees.
• They act as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan.

Who the President Appoints

The president chooses many important people for government roles, including:

• The Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers.
• The head of the Prosecutor General's Office.
• The head of the State Committee for National Security.
• The head of the State Border Guard Service.
• The head of the State Customs Service.
• The head of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan.
• The Chief of the General Staff of Armed Forces.
• Commanders of different military branches.
• Members of the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan.
• The head of the Presidential Administration and the press secretary.
• Ambassadors of Kyrgyzstan to other countries.

Removing a President from Office

The Parliament can remove a president from office. This can only happen if the president is accused of treason or another serious crime. This charge must be supported by a ruling from the Constitutional Court. If the president is found innocent, the Parliament members who made the charge are immediately dismissed.

Who Takes Over if the President Cannot Serve?

If the president cannot do their job because of death, illness, or being removed from office, the prime minister takes over. They serve as acting president until a new president is elected. A new election must happen within three months.

Kyrgyzstan has had only one peaceful transfer of power from one president to another. This happened in 2017. Askar Akayev was forced out of office in 2005. Kurmanbek Bakiyev was also forced out in 2010. Almazbek Atambayev was peacefully replaced by Sooronbay Jeenbekov in 2017. However, Jeenbekov resigned in 2020 due to protests. Sadyr Japarov then took over.

List of Presidents of Kyrgyzstan

     means the person was an acting or temporary president.

#	Name (Born–Died)	Picture	Took office	Left office	Elected	Political party
1	Askar Akayev Аскар Акаев (born 1944)		27 October 1990	30 December 1995	1990	Independent
			13 October 1991	30 December 1995	1991
			30 December 1995	9 December 2000	1995
			9 December 2000	24 March 2005	2000
–	Ishenbai Kadyrbekov Ишенбай Кадырбеков (born 1949)		24 March 2005	25 March 2005	—	Independent
–	Kurmanbek Bakiyev Курманбек Бакиев (born 1949)		25 March 2005	14 August 2005	—	Independent (25 March 2005 – 14 August 2005) People's Movement of Kyrgyzstan (14 August 2005 – 15 October 2007) Ak Jol (15 October 2007 – 7 April 2010 (de facto)/15 April 2010 (de jure))
2			14 August 2005	2 August 2009	2005
			2 August 2009	7 April 2010 (de facto)/15 April 2010 (de jure)	2009
–	Roza Otunbayeva Роза Отунбаева (born 1950)		7 April 2010	3 July 2010	—	Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
3			3 July 2010	1 December 2011	—
4	Almazbek Atambayev Алмазбек Атамбаев (born 1956)		1 December 2011	24 November 2017	2011	Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
5	Sooronbay Jeenbekov Сооронбай Жээнбеков (born 1958)		24 November 2017	15 October 2020	2017	Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
–	Sadyr Japarov Садыр Жапаров (born 1968)		15 October 2020	14 November 2020	—	Mekenchil
–	Talant Mamytov Талант Мамытов (born 1976)		14 November 2020	28 January 2021	—	Kyrgyzstan
6	Sadyr Japarov Садыр Жапаров (born 1968)		28 January 2021	Incumbent	2021	Mekenchil

Timeline of Presidents

See also

In Spanish: Presidente de Kirguistán para niños

• Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan
• Vice President of Kyrgyzstan
• Leadership of Communist Kyrgyzstan
• Security Council of Kyrgyzstan