Kurmanbek Bakiyev

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Kurmanbek Bakiyev Курманбек Бакиев
Image:Kurmanbek Bakiyev.jpg <small/>
2nd President of the Kyrgyz Republic
Incumbent
Assumed office March 24, 2005
Preceded by	Askar Akayev
Succeeded by	incumbent

Born	August 1, 1949 Masadan, Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Kyrgyzstan

Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev (Курманбек Салиевич Бакиев; born 1 August, 1949, in Masadan, Jalal-Abad Province in Kyrgyzstan) is the President of Kyrgyzstan. The Legislative Assembly of Kyrgyzstan of the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan appointed him acting President on 24 March, 2005 following the ousting, during the Tulip Revolution, of President Askar Akayev.

Bakiyev was the leader of the People's Movement of Kyrgyzstan before his ascendance to the presidency. He gets most of his popular support from the south of the country.

In 1972 Bakiyev graduated from the Kuybyshev Polytechnic Institute as an electrical engineer; from 1974 to 1976 he served in the Soviet Army. By 1979 he was deputy chief engineer at a factory in Jalalabat, and by 1990 had risen to factory director, when he left to begin a political career. Initially first secretary of the Kok-Yangak city council, he later rose to chairman of the supreme soviet for that city, then deputy chairman for the Jalalabad region. In 1995 Bakiyev was appointed Provincial Governor of Jalalabad oblast. He later served as Governor of Chui oblast from April 1997 to December 2000 and as Prime Minister from December 21, 2000, to May 22, 2002, but resigned that position in the aftermath of riot police having shot and killed five anti-Akayev protesters in the southern Kyrgyz town of Aksy. In February 2005 he failed to win a seat in parliamentary elections.^{[citation needed]}

Following the events of the 2005 Tulip Revolution, Bakiyev won the 10 July ballot for the Presidential election with 89% of the vote with a 53% turnout.<ref name=WON>Bakiev sworn in as Kyrgyz leader BBC News</ref> This overwhelming electoral success is partly due to the political alliance with Felix Kulov who Bakiyev appointed Prime Minister soon after the election. Bakiyev was inaugurated on 14 August in Bishkek.

Bakiyev's term in office has been marred by the slayings of several prominent people, prison riots, economic ills and battles for control of lucrative businesses despite initial hopes.<ref name=UNREST>Kyrgyz jail unrest claims lives BBC News</ref><ref name=CORRUPTION>Kyrgyz rally against corruption BBC News</ref><ref name=SHOOTING>Kyrgyz MP shot dead in Bishkek BBC News</ref><ref name=CLASHES>Clashes erupt in Kyrgyz capital BBC News</ref> In 2006, Bakiyev faced a political crisis as thousands of people participated in a series of protests in Bishkek. He was accused of not following through with his promises to limit presidential power, give more authority to parliament and the prime minister, and eradicate corruption and crime. Bakiyev claimed that the opposition was plotting a coup against him.<ref name=RALLY>Thousands rally against Kyrgyz leader Al Jazeera</ref><ref name=COUP>Kyrgyzstan brings coup charges Al Jazeera</ref>

[edit] Quotes

"We respect [the] interests of other nations, but [the] interests of our own people and state, freedom and independence of Kyrgyzstan are predominant for us." Speaking at his inauguration, 13 August.

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Preceded by: Askar Akayev	President of Kyrgyzstan 2005–present	Succeeded by: incumbent
Preceded by: Nikolai Tanayev	Acting Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan 2005	Succeeded by: Felix Kulov
Preceded by: Amangeldy Muraliev	Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan (first term) 2000–2002	Succeeded by: Nikolai Tanayev