Candidate for the post of Jogorku Kenesh speaker announced

On February 12, deputy Marlen Mamataliyev was nominated as a candidate for the post of speaker of Kyrgyzstan’s Jogorku Kenesh. This was reported by Kaktus.media, citing several parliamentary sources.

According to preliminary information, no alternative candidates are expected. Sources noted that there is no longer a need to collect signatures to remove Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu from office, as he is ready to step down voluntarily.

It is worth noting that earlier Mamataliyev commented on reports that he could be nominated for the speaker’s post, saying he had no intention of taking the position.

“I have no ambition to become the speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh,” deputy Marlen Mamataliyev told journalists.

It is worth noting that earlier, it was reported that Kyrgyzstan’s Jogorku Kenesh speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu had stepped down from his post. However, he will remain a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh.

Tashiyev’s resignation

On February 10, Kamchybek Tashiyev, chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security and deputy prime minister, was dismissed by a decree of President Sadyr Japarov. He explained his decision as a desire to “prevent division in society.” Tashiyev said he learned about the decision while undergoing a scheduled check-up in Germany following heart surgery.

Following Tashiyev’s resignation, his first deputy Kurbonbek Avazov, Cybersecurity Center Director Daniel Risaliyev, and Anti-Terror Center Director Elizar Smanov were also dismissed. Abdukarim Alimboyev was removed from the post of first deputy chairman of the State Committee for National Security and appointed chairman of the State Border Service. He was replaced by Rustam Mamasadykov, who had been serving as secretary of the Security Council.

Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov, who had served as head of the 9th Service and deputy chairman of the State Committee for National Security since 2020, was appointed acting chairman of the agency.

On the same day, the Border Service was separated from the State Committee for National Security.

The Japarov–Tashiyev tandem

For reference, Kamchybek Tashiyev was appointed chairman of the State Committee for National Security on October 16, 2020. The decree was signed by Sadyr Japarov while he was serving as acting president following the events of October 5–6, 2020.

The long-standing relationship between Kamchybek Tashiyev and President Sadyr Japarov has been widely regarded as one of the most stable and influential political alliances in the country. Their cooperation began long before they came to power: in the early 2010s, they were on the same side in several political processes and also went through a joint criminal episode in 2012, which further strengthened their personal ties.

After the October 2020 events, the tandem took its final shape: Sadyr Japarov became president, while Kamchybek Tashiyev was appointed head of the State Committee for National Security and became a key pillar of the security bloc. He oversaw some of the most high-profile cases, shaped security policy, and was considered one of the president’s closest allies.

Among experts, their alliance was often described as the country’s most solid political duo, and any personnel changes around Kamchybek Tashiyev were seen as a sign of serious changes in the configuration of power.

Recently, rumors circulated in political circles that the head of the special services might participate in the upcoming presidential election. Kamchybek Tashiyev has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to run for president and supports Sadyr Japarov.