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Factions in Kyrgyzstan Divided Over Successor to Prime Minister

VOA News

   Opposition parties in Kyrgyzstan failed to form a new government
   Wednesday as they jostled over the replacement of the prime minister
   one day after he resigned and the country's parliamentary election was
   annulled.

   Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov's resignation has isolated President
   Sooronbai Jeenbekov, who called on all parties Wednesday to begin
   negotiations that he reiterated his willingness to mediate.

   Negotiators from eight parties tried to overcome their differences late
   Wednesday at government headquarters, but several large factions did
   not join the talks while two rival candidates to be Boronov's successor
   emerged.

   A group of legislators nominated former lawmaker Sadyr Zhaparov on
   Tuesday night, but neither Boronov nor Jeenbekov endorsed him, and
   several opposition parties rejected his nomination.

   A young businessman, Tilek Toktogaziyev, emerged as another candidate
   Wednesday after being nominated by one of several "coordination
   councils" formed by opposition parties and activists since Monday.

   Rallies in capital

   Supporters of both candidates rallied in the capital, Bishkek, as
   lawmakers met again Wednesday evening to discuss the political chaos
   that erupted this week.

   Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission annulled results of the
   country's parliamentary election Tuesday as opposition groups took
   control of government buildings while protesting the election.

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