Kyrgyzstan: Two Revolutions, But Still No Prosperity

This year, Kyrgyzstan is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its "Tulip Revolution" and the 5th anniversary of the "Second Kyrgyz Revolution." But it's still waiting for real reforms, as Russian influence grows.



On March 24, Kyrgyzstan commemorated the 10th anniversary of the "Tulip Revolution" that ended President Askar Akayev's 15 year rule. When Kurmanbek Bakiyev became Kyrgyzstan's head of state he quickly forgot his democratic slogans, and five years later he experienced the same fate as his predecessor. But the second revolution was bloody. On April 7, 2010, more than 80 people were killed in clashes after police opened fire on crowds of protesters.



The anniversaries of both events coincide with the European tour of current President Almasbek Atambayev, who talks much of democracy and reform when meeting with other heads of state. But disappointment is growing in Kyrgyzstan. There are no real improvements to speak of, as poverty remains high, and nearly a quarter of the working population have been forced to emigrate to Russia and elsewhere in order to find employment.



No parliamentary democracy



Edil Baysalov was an active participant in the "Tulip Revolution" in March of 2005, and he remembers well how quickly the new president was able to cement his own personal power. That is why Baysalov supported the next revolution in 2010. For a short time after Bakiyev's fall Baysalov was acting chief of staff for the new transitional government. But according to Baysalov the new rulers also quickly forgot their promises.



Today, he says that the country wasn't ready for parliamentarianism at the time. In an interview with