News Analysis: Kyrgyz president wins reelection as expected

by Xinhua writers Yu Maofeng, Zhao Yu, Li Bin

BISHKEK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Preliminary results indicate incumbent President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has won a second term with a landslide victory.

The central election commission said Bakiyev won 85.4 percent of Thursday's vote, with 73 percent of the ballots counted. Opposition rival Almazbek Atambayev, who has denounced the vote as rigged, had 7.5 percent.

Bakiyev's victory came as no surprise because his presidency has been generally characterized by achievements in politics, economy and society.

When Bakiyev swept to power in 2005, the capital of Bishkek was the scene of violent protests that toppled his long-serving predecessor. Bakiyev got the administration back on track by carrying out reforms and mediating among government departments.

The Bright Path Popular party, established by Bakiyev in 2007, now holds 71 seats in the 90-seat parliament, enabling the president to push forward his policies.

At the beginning of this year, Bakiyev dismissed a string of senior officials, including his first deputy prime minister and foreign minister, because of poor performances. He also designated opposition leaders as key officials, impressing voters with his commitment to innovation and progress.

Bakiyev said ties with China, Russia, the United States, and other Central Asian countries will remain foreign policy priorities.

"If I am reelected, Kyrgyzstan will adhere to the principle of partnership relations and maintain sound relationships with China, Russia, the United States as well as other neighboring countries," Bakiyev told reporters after voting on Thursday.

Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia, is at the heart of a Russian-U.S. contest for control over the strategically important region near Afghanistan. Both Russia and the United States now operate military bases in the former Soviet republic.

The Kyrgyz government in February ordered the United States to vacate the Manas air base, a key logistic hub for U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan, after receiving more than two billion U.S. dollars in aid and loan guarantees from Moscow.

Bishkek, however, agreed last month to allow the United States to continue using the base as a transit center after Washington promised to triple its rent.

In a move to alleviate Moscow's anger at the decision, Bishkek is mulling Russia's request to open another military base in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Amidst the global economic downturn, Bakiyev has spared no effort to ensure smooth economic growth.

Kyrgyzstan's gross domestic production increased 7.6 percent in 2008, ranking fourth among members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

In the first quarter of this year, foreign investment in Kyrgyzstan surged 30 percent year on year. Funds from Russia and the United States not only play an important role in coping with the financial crisis, but also helped Bakiyev extend his rule by another five years, analysts said.

Bakiyev devotes himself to improving the quality of life for citizens and raising pensions.

The president, who received a traditional Russian education, attaches great importance to education and has allocated sizeable funds to the field.

Kyrgyzs' living standards are comparatively low and their social welfare is limited. During his tenure, Bakiyev raised pensions by developing agriculture and attracting foreign investment.

The president has been been praised for creating job opportunities, building infrastructure, and preserving the country's ethnic culture.

Despite the overwhelming victory, Bakiyev faces a series of challenges ahead, analysts said.

At the top of his agenda will be averting a dramatic economic slowdown, repairing relations with the opposition parties and improving citizens' living standards.