Semi-presidentialism in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

Fumagalli describes political and constitutional developments in post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan, a country which has experienced significant political instability and constitutional change. Kyrgyzstan is currently a rare democracy in a region that has otherwise been inhospitable to political liberalization. The premier-presidential variant of semi-presidentialism (2010-present) has done more to advance democracy in the country than the president-parliamentary system in place from 1993 to 2010. Fumagalli also discusses other factors at play, including a weak political party system, clan and patronage politics, and Russian political and economic influence.