Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – The voters of Kyrgyzstan will vote today to elect a successor to the president who three months ago fled out the back door of the White House here as protesters clambered over the fence in front.
Voters and analysts have said the new president probably will be Kurmanbek Bakiyev, a polished opposition leader who once served as prime minister to Askar Akayev, the president whose 15-year rule ended abruptly March 24 when he fled the country with his family, whose growing and conspicuous wealth had fueled public outrage.
Bakiyev, who became acting president in March, appeared to sew up the win weeks ago by coaxing his main rival to join his ticket on a promise of becoming prime minister.
On a shady sidewalk in the southern city of Osh, Mederbek Alik, who is unemployed, had just gulped down a bowl of fermented mare’s milk, a local delicacy.
He recalled that Akayev’s downfall followed protests over February parliamentary elections.
That campaign was dominated by wealthy candidates who openly bought votes with payments of $5 to $10, or open bars.
“Last time we took money, we drank vodka – we were drunk,” said Alik, 26. “But this time it’ll be clean.”
“We’re putting a lot on these elections,” said Kadik Sabibor, a bazaar merchant, standing beside him. “We think our lives will improve after these elections.”
