031 - Kyrgyz Presidential Elections with Bermet Talant

In our first episode of Season 2, we speak with Bermet Talant (Journalist, Reuters Institute Fellow, @ser_ou_parecer) about the recent presidential elections and referendum vote in Kyrgyzstan. We take a deep dive into the background of Sadyr Japarov, who won the contest in a landslide vote, and discuss his connections to former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, sources of financial support, and public appeal among rural populations and labor migrants. We talk about the events leading up to the vote, the new constitution, and the significance of a presidential system. We consider Kyrgyzstan's relations with Russia and China, the country's tourism sector, and how Bishkek can play a role in diplomatic efforts. Finally, we comment on the global trend toward populism and potential changes to reporting and rural-urban dialogue in light of this development, both in Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere.