Forming a New Government in Kyrgyzstan: Is a Fresh Start Likely?

SILK ROAD FORUM with Johan Engvall

PhD Candidate in Political Science, Non-Resident Research Fellow with the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute – Silk Road Studies Program

Friday, November 19, 2010, 10:00-11:30

The last year has been dramatic in Kyrgyzstan. In April, for the second time in five years the country’s leader was unseated by a popular revolt. In the aftermath of the disorder, in June, deadly ethnic riots took the life of over 400 people and led to the displacement of more than 100,000. After these events, parliamentary elections were held in October bringing hope for stability and peaceful developments. The elections have inspired some observers to talk about a historical watershed of democratic politics and a parliamentary system in Central Asia. However, the new government, irrespective of its composition, will have to face major challenges raising the question whether Kyrgyzstan has any serious prospects of developing into a stable, sovereign state, let alone one with a pluralistic political system.

Johan Engvall is a PhD Candidate in Political Science at the Department of Government of Uppsala University, and a Non-Resident Research Fellow with the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute – Silk Road Studies Program. He is also an instructor at the Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Uppsala University. He is working on a dissertation focusing on informal governance and state building in contemporary Kyrgyzstan. Johan has conducted field studies in Kyrgyzstan on a regular basis over the last several years. He has numerous published articles on Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia in journals such as Problems of Post-Communism and Europe-Asia Studies.

Location: ISDP, Västra Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka. For a map and directions, please go here.

To attend: RSVP to Ms. Martina Klimesova at mklimesova@isdp.eu