Kyrgyz Parliament Votes to Dissolve, Paving Way for Snap November Elections

Parliament Initiates Self-Dissolution

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyzstan's parliament, known as the Jogorku Kenesh, officially voted on September 25, 2025, to dissolve itself, thereby triggering early parliamentary elections. The resolution passed with an overwhelming majority, with 84 deputies voting in favor, 0 against, 5 abstentions, and 1 absent from the 90-member body. This decision paves the way for snap elections, which are anticipated to take place on November 30, 2025.

The current parliamentary term was originally set to expire in November 2026, with presidential elections scheduled for January 2027.

Reasons Cited for Early Elections

The official rationale behind the self-dissolution, as articulated by lawmaker Ulan Primov, was to avoid the financial strain, logistical complexities, and potential instability of holding two major election campaigns—parliamentary and presidential—in close succession. Primov stated that the move was necessary to 'strengthen the political system and stability in the country.' Speaker of Parliament Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu emphasized that the decision was made independently by the parliament, asserting that 'No external forces, neither the president nor the cabinet, interfered.' He also pledged that the upcoming elections would be 'clean and transparent,' free from fraud or bribery.

Critics Raise Concerns Over Power Consolidation

Despite the official explanations, the move has drawn criticism from various observers who view it as a strategic step by President Sadyr Japarov to further consolidate his authority. Japarov, who came to power following protests in 2020, has faced accusations of an authoritarian shift, including curbing media freedoms, shutting down independent outlets, and arresting journalists. Analysts suggest that the current parliament is already largely composed of pro-Japarov parties.

Further fueling these concerns are electoral reforms enacted in June 2025, which abolished the mixed electoral system that included proportional party lists, in favor of a winner-takes-all system. This change is believed to make it more challenging for smaller parties to gain representation. Experts like Temur Umarov of the Carnegie Center in Berlin have described the snap elections as part of Japarov's broader strategy to strengthen his political control ahead of his re-election campaign in 2027.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

This marks the first instance in Kyrgyzstan's history where the parliament has voluntarily dissolved itself; previous dissolutions occurred via presidential decrees. Kyrgyzstan has a history of political volatility, experiencing three protest-driven changes of government since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, occurring in 2005, 2010, and 2020. The 2020 unrest, which brought Japarov to power, was itself triggered by parliamentary elections perceived as unfairly favoring pro-presidential parties.

President Japarov is expected to officially set the election date within five days of the parliament's dissolution, with November 30 widely anticipated as the polling day. The upcoming elections will be closely watched for their adherence to democratic principles and their implications for Kyrgyzstan's political landscape.