Official name

Kyrgyz Republic

Form of state

The Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic declared its independence in August 1991 and changed its name to the Kyrgyz Republic. A constitution was approved on May 5th 1993. The president's powers were enhanced by referendums held in February 1996, February 2003 and October 2007. The provisional government in place since April 2010 held a referendum on a new constitution restoring powers to parliament in June 2010; a parliamentary election under this new constitution was held in October 2010

National legislature

The Jogorku Kenesh is a unicameral chamber elected for a five-year term. Under changes approved by referendum in June 2010, the number of seats in the legislature has been raised from 90 to 120.

National elections

October 10th 2010 (parliamentary) and July 23rd 2009 (presidential); a presidential election is due to be held in October 2011; the next parliamentary election is due in 2015.

National government

If a party holds more than one-half of the seats in parliament, it has the right to nominate the prime minister, who must then be approved by the president (if no party wins a majority, the president will entrust one of parliament's parties with forming a coalition)

Head of state

The president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, re-elected in July 2009, was ousted after riots in April 2010; Roza Otunbayeva will remain as interim president until end-2011

Main political parties

Ata-Jurt (Fatherland); Ak Jol (True Path); Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK); Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan (KPK); Socialist Party Ata-Meken (Fatherland); Alga (Forward), Kyrgyzstan!; Adilet (Justice); Ar-Namys (Dignity); Asaba (Banner); Democratic Party of Women of Kyrgyzstan; Erkindik (Freedom); Mekenim (Fatherland) Kyrgyzstan movement; Moya Strana (My Country); Progressive-Democratic Party Erkin Kyrgyzstan (ErK); Respublika; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan (PKK); Protection Party; Republican People's Party; Butun Kyrgyzstan (United Kyrgyzstan)

Government

Prime minister: Almazbek Atambayev

First deputy prime minister: Omurbek Babanov

Deputy prime ministers:

;Shamil Atakhanov

;Ibragim Jusunov

Key ministers

Agriculture: Toragul Bekov

Defence: Abibilla Kudaiberdiyev

Economic regulation: Uchkunbek Tashbayev

Emergency situations: Bolot Borbiyev

Energy: Askar Shadiyev

Finance: Melis Mamejano

Foreign affairs: Ruslan Kazakbayev

Health: Sabir Jumabekov

Internal affairs: Zarylbek Risaliyev

Justice: Abylay Mukhamejanov

Labour, employment & migration: Almazbek Abytov

Natural resources: Zamirbek Esenamanov

State property committee: Nudrin Ilebayev

Transport & communications: Erkin Isakov

Head of National Security

Keneshbek Dushebayev

Acting central bank chairman

Baktygul Zheyenbayeva