Amid political crisis, Kyrgyz president accepts PM’s resignation

Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov has signed an order dismissing Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov and his cabinet on Friday, his office said in a statement. Boronov tendered his resignation after opposition groups on Tuesday seized government buildings in response to protests against a controversial parliamentary election which has since been annulled. The disputed vote sparked a fresh crisis in the Central Asian country, triggering protests and unrest that have killed at least one person and injured hundreds. The rallies forced mass resignations that included the prime minister, the cabinet and several governors and mayors, leaving a political vacuum. Jeenbekov also offered to resign on Friday in an address published on the presidential website once a date for fresh elections had been set and changes in government had been confirmed by parliament and his office. “We need to get the situation back to the rule of law as soon as possible. After legitimate executive authorities have been approved and we are back on the path of lawfulness, I am ready to leave the post of President of the Kyrgyz Republic.” The statement comes hours after Jeenbekov’s press chief said the president’s resignation was not “under question” in talks he was holding with national political leaders. Jeenbekov has made no public appearances since the unrest broke out. Opposition parties claim Sunday’s election was rigged by significant vote-buying in favour of parties close to Jeenbekov. style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;">