President of Kyrgyzstan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Kyrgyz Republic
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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	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Kyrgyzstan (2021)
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. This person is both the head of state and the head of government for the Kyrgyz Republic. The president leads the government's executive branch. They are also the top commander of the Kyrgyz military. Plus, they lead the National Security Council.

The constitution says the president shows the unity of the people and the government. They also make sure the constitution is followed. This includes protecting the rights and freedoms of every person in Kyrgyzstan.

The role of president started in 1990. It replaced the "chairman of the Supreme Soviet." This older role had existed in different forms since 1936. Back then, the country was called 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 change in the country in July 2005, Kurmanbek Bakiyev was elected. He was re-elected in 2009. However, protests in April 2010 led him to step down and leave the country. Roza Otunbayeva then became the interim leader in April 2010. She officially 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 was elected president. He was the former prime minister. He started his term on November 24, 2017. On October 15, 2020, Jeenbekov resigned. This happened after public unrest following 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 the full role on January 28, 2021.

Taking the Oath of Office

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

Мен, (аты-жөнү), Кыргыз Республикасынын Президентинин кызматына киришип жатып, өз элимдин алдында жана Ала-Тоо ыйык Ата, мен ант
Кыргыз Республикасынын Башмыйзамынын сыйлоого жана коргоого жана анын мыйзамдарын, Кыргыз Республикасынын мамлекеттик, урмат-сый эгемендигин жана көз карандысыздыгын коргоого жана урмат-сый менен Кыргыз Республикасынын бардык жарандарынын эркиндиги менен укуктарын камсыз кылуу жана талыкпай жогорку милдеттерин жүзөгө ашыруу үчүн Кыргыз Республикасынын президенти, бүткүл эл ишенип мага жүктөгөн! Кудай бизди коргой берсин!

Here is what the oath means in English:

I, (full name), in assuming the office of President of the Kyrgyz Republic, before my people and the sacred fatherland of Ala-Too, I swear to respect and protect the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic and its laws, to protect the sovereignty and independence of the Kyrgyz state, respect and ensure the rights and freedoms of all citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic with honor and tirelessly carry out the high duties of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, entrusted to me by the confidence of the whole people! 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 need to speak the state language well. They also must have lived in Kyrgyzstan for at least 15 years. This must be before they are nominated for the job.

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

Rules for Elections

The citizens of Kyrgyzstan elect the president. 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 are the winner. 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.

• Yntymak Ordo (Palace of Unity): This is the newest presidential palace. It opened on August 30, 2024. It is in the south of Bishkek.
• White House, Bishkek (used after 1985)
• Central Committee Building, Bishkek (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 important powers given by the constitution. They have the authority to:

• Choose the Prime Minister and other government members.
• Suggest candidates to Parliament for jobs in the Supreme Court.
• Lead the country's foreign policy.
• Introduce and sign new laws.
• Announce all elections and issue official orders.
• Act as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan.

Key Appointments by the President

The president appoints many important people, including:

• The Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan
• Cabinet ministers
• The Procurator General
• 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 State Forensic Experts Service
• The head of the State Penitentiary Service
• The head of the State Service for Combating Economic Crimes
• 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
• The press secretary
• Kyrgyzstan's Ambassadors to other countries

Removing a President from Office

Parliament can remove a president from office. This can only happen if there is a charge of treason or another serious crime. A special court, the Constitutional Court, must support this charge. Two-thirds of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) must agree. If the president is found innocent, the members who voted to remove them 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, the prime minister takes over. They act as president until a new leader is elected. A new election must happen within three months.

Kyrgyzstan has had only one smooth transfer of power from one president to another. This happened in 2017. Askar Akayev had to leave office in 2005. Kurmanbek Bakiyev also had to leave office in 2010. Almazbek Atambayev was peacefully followed by Sooronbay Jeenbekov in 2017. However, Jeenbekov resigned in 2020 and was succeeded by Sadyr Japarov.

List of Presidents of Kyrgyzstan

     means the person was serving as an acting or temporary president.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Elected	Took office	Left office	Political party
1		Askar Akayev (born 1944)	1990	27 October 1990	24 March 2005	Independent (Affiliated with the Forward Kyrgyzstan Party from 2003 until 2005. (Tulip Revolution))
			1991
			1995
			2000
—		Ishenbai Kadyrbekov (born 1949)	—	24 March 2005	25 March 2005	Independent
—		Kurmanbek Bakiyev (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			2005	14 August 2005	2 August 2009
			2009	2 August 2009	7 April 2010 (de facto)/15 April 2010 (de jure)
—		Roza Otunbayeva (born 1950)	—	7 April 2010	3 July 2010	Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
3			—	3 July 2010	1 December 2011
4		Almazbek Atambayev (born 1956)	2011	1 December 2011	24 November 2017	Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
5		Sooronbay Jeenbekov (born 1958)	2017	24 November 2017	15 October 2020	Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
—		Sadyr Japarov (born 1968)	—	15 October 2020	14 November 2020	Mekenchil
—		Talant Mamytov (born 1976)	—	14 November 2020	28 January 2021	Kyrgyzstan
6		Sadyr Japarov (born 1968)	2021	28 January 2021	Incumbent	Mekenchil

Timeline of Presidents

Related Topics

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

See also

In Spanish: Presidente de Kirguistán para niños