Government (Kyrgyzstan)
=======================


     Long-form name:
         Republic of Kyrgyzstan
     Type:
         republic
     Capital:
         Bishkek (formerly Frunze)
     Administrative divisions:
         6 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Chu, Dzhalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul',
         Naryn, Osh, Talas; note - an oblast has the same name as its administrative
         center
     Independence:
         31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union; formerly Kirghiz Soviet Socialist
         Republic)
     Constitution:
         adopted NA, effective 20 April 1978, amended 23 September 1989; note - new
         constitution is being drafted
     Legal system:
         NA
     National holiday:
         NA
     Executive branch:
         president, Cabinet of Ministers
     Legislative branch:
         unicameral body or bicameral
     Judicial branch:
         Supreme Court
     Leaders:
         President Askar AKAYEV; Vice President Felix KULOV; Chairman, Supreme
         Soviet, Medetkav SHERIMKULOV; Spiritual leader of Kyrgyz Muslims, Sadykzhav
         KAMALOV
       Chief of State:
         President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990), Vice President Felix KULOV
         (since 2 March 1992)
       Head of Government:
         Prime Minister Tursenbek CHYNGYSHEV (since 2 March 1992)
     Political parties and leaders:
         Kyrgyzstan Democratic Movement, Zhypur ZHEKSHEYEV, Kazat AKMAKOV, and
         Toshubek TURGANALIEV, co-chairmen of popular front coalition of 40 informal
         groups for Democratic Renewal and Civic Accord, 117-man pro-Akayev
         parliamentary faction; Civic Accord, Coalition representing nonnative
         minority groups; National Revived Asaba (Banner) Party, Asan ORMUSHEV,
         chairman; Communist Party now banned
     Suffrage:
         universal at age 18
     Elections:
       President:
         last held 12 October 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - AKAYEV won in
         uncontested election with 95% of vote with 90% of electorate voting; note -
         Republic Supreme Soviet elections held 25 February 1990; presidential
         elections held first by Supreme Soviet 28 October 1990, then by popular vote
         12 October 1991
       Supreme Soviet:
         note - last held 25 February 1990 (next to be held no later than November
         1994); results - Commnunists (310) 90%, seats - (350 total)
     Other political or pressure groups:
         National Unity Democratic Movement; Peasant Party; Council of Free Trade
         Union; Union of Entrepreneurs
     Member of:
         CIS, CSCE, IMF, UN, UNCTAD