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Kyrgyzstan's President Secures Parliamentary Majority Amid Surprising Electoral Upset

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 15:09 GMT by U.S. News & World Report

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Kyrgyzstan’s Parliamentary Elections: Allies of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov Secure a Majority, According to Preliminary Results

Published by U.S. News & World Report – 30 November 2025

In a surprising turn of events for Kyrgyzstan’s fledgling democracy, the parliamentary election that took place on 27 November 2025 ended with the president’s allies securing a decisive majority of seats in the 120‑member Jogorku Kenesh (National Assembly). Preliminary results released by the country’s Central Election Commission (CEC) show that the ruling coalition, anchored by the “Ata Zhol” (Road of the Nation) party and its partners, has won 71 out of 120 seats—just shy of an outright majority but sufficient to form a stable government with the help of smaller pro‑government independents and a handful of technocratic members.

1. The Electoral Landscape

1.1 The Political Players

Kyrgyzstan’s political arena is dominated by five main parties, each representing distinct ideological currents:

The “Ata Zhol” coalition also includes the newly formed “Nation’s Unity” bloc, comprising a dozen smaller groups that were largely supportive of Jeenbekov’s reform agenda.

1.2 The Voting Process

Kyrgyzstan’s 2025 election was held on a single day under a mixed‑member proportional representation system. Voters received two ballots: one for a party list and one for a single‑member constituency. The 30 constituencies were contested under a first‑past‑the‑post system, while the remaining 90 seats were allocated based on the proportion of party votes, subject to a 5 % electoral threshold.

All ballots were cast between 8 am and 10 pm in a largely peaceful environment, although a few isolated incidents of voter intimidation were reported in rural villages. The CEC, backed by domestic observers from the OSCE and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), verified that the process adhered to the country’s electoral code.

2. Preliminary Results

According to the CEC’s press release (dated 30 November), the vote distribution was as follows:

• Ata Zhol (including “Nation’s Unity” bloc): 41 % – 35 seats
• Social Democratic Party: 21 % – 18 seats
• Kyrgyzstan: 10 % – 10 seats
• United Kyrgyzstan: 7 % – 7 seats
• Independents & Others: 21 % – 19 seats

With these figures, the president’s coalition controls 71 seats, providing a narrow majority over the opposition’s combined 49 seats. The seat allocation reflects a notable shift: the “Kyrgyzstan” party, which had been the opposition’s most visible force in the previous 2020 election, saw its vote share drop from 25 % to 10 %. Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party’s support surged, possibly as a reaction to the president’s handling of the national healthcare reforms.

3. Significance of the Outcome

3.1 Consolidation of Presidential Power

Historically, Kyrgyzstan has experienced a volatile mix of democratic governance and authoritarian tendencies. The 2010 Tulip Revolution ended the rule of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, ushering in a period of relative liberalism. However, the country’s constitutional framework still allows the president to exert significant influence over parliamentary appointments and executive appointments.

With a majority in the National Assembly, President Jeenbekov now has the legislative backing to push through his reform agenda, which includes:

• A comprehensive tax overhaul aimed at reducing informal economic activity.
• Expanding the state’s role in strategic sectors such as mining and tourism.
• Strengthening the judiciary’s independence by introducing a merit‑based appointment system for judges.

The coalition’s dominance signals a potential easing of the “political gridlock” that had characterized the 2021–2023 period, when the opposition frequently stalled key legislation.

3.2 Impact on Civil Society

Civil society groups, which had been vocal critics of President Jeenbekov’s approach to media freedom and anti‑corruption efforts, appear to be cautious about the new majority. The “Center for Democratic Development” (CDD) issued a statement expressing concern over “the potential erosion of checks and balances” and calling for transparency in the forthcoming legislative agenda.

Conversely, the “Kyrgyz Association for Public Health” welcomed the government’s commitment to increase healthcare spending, citing the party’s vote share increase as evidence of public support for the reforms.

3.3 Regional Implications

Kyrgyzstan’s strategic location in Central Asia—bordering Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China—makes its political stability vital for regional security and economic initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative. The new parliamentary majority is likely to maintain an open stance toward China’s investments while seeking deeper ties with the European Union, as suggested by the United Kyrgyzstan party’s platform.

The CEC’s statement that “the electoral process was transparent and inclusive” has been welcomed by neighboring countries, who view Kyrgyzstan as a key partner in mitigating cross‑border tensions, especially in the Fergana Valley dispute with Uzbekistan.

4. Reactions from Key Stakeholders

4.1 The Opposition

Opposition parties expressed a mixture of frustration and pragmatism. SDP leader Kadyrzhan Erkin called the results “a setback for democratic consolidation” but urged his party to “use this opportunity to shape legislation through dialogue.”

“Kyrgyzstan’s” chairman, Almazbek Saparov, criticized the electoral commission for alleged irregularities in certain rural constituencies but refused to withdraw his party’s candidates, indicating that they would still push their platform within the assembly.

4.2 International Observers

The OSCE’s Independent Electoral Commission praised the election for “high levels of voter participation and overall credibility.” They, however, noted that “continued vigilance is necessary to address isolated reports of voter suppression.”

The European Union’s mission to Central Asia issued a preliminary statement supporting Kyrgyzstan’s move toward greater democratic practices, emphasizing the importance of ensuring judicial independence and safeguarding freedom of expression.

4.3 Domestic Media

State‑affiliated media outlets, such as “Kyrgyzstan Today,” highlighted the majority as a sign of “stable governance and continuity.” Independent outlets like “Voice of the People” were more critical, calling for increased transparency in the government’s legislative agenda.

5. Next Steps

The finalization of the election results is expected by the end of the week, after the CEC concludes the audit of all constituency ballots and finalizes the allocation of seats to independent and minor party candidates. Once confirmed, the president will convene a special session of the National Assembly to formalize the new government’s leadership structure.

Key legislative priorities slated for the first quarter include:

1. Health Reform Bill – Expanding insurance coverage to cover preventive care for low‑income families.
2. Tax Reform Package – Aims to close loopholes and increase compliance through digitalization of tax records.
3. Judiciary Restructuring Act – Strengthening the Supreme Court’s independence and establishing a merit‑based selection committee.

6. Looking Ahead

The 2025 parliamentary elections mark a pivotal moment in Kyrgyzstan’s journey toward a more robust democratic system. While the president’s allies have secured a majority, the narrow margin of victory underscores the necessity for inclusive governance and the potential for legislative compromise. The coming months will reveal whether Kyrgyzstan can sustain this political equilibrium and deliver on its reform promises, all while maintaining stability in a geopolitically sensitive region.