Kyrgyz Politics: The 2021 Constitution and Its Potential Implications

This article aims to examine the political consequences of Kyrgyzstan’s new 2021 Constitution in light of political constitutionalism and empirical institutionalism approaches. The political dimension of constitutions is primarily related to the nature of the political objectives that play a decisive role during the constitution-making process. Empirical institutionalism focuses on the effects of the institutional formulations developed by key actors involved in constitution-making on the functioning of political life. Kyrgyzstan constitutes a striking case in this regard, as political competition in the country is shaped by confrontational dynamics, which directly affect the constitution-making process. Since gaining independence, Kyrgyzstan has experienced transfers of power through extraordinary means, making the country particularly significant for regional stability. Within this framework, the study first addresses the main characteristics of the post-independence constitutionalization process in Kyrgyzstan. It then analyzes the political system shaped by the 2021 Constitution and its possible implications for political life. In the conclusion, the developments in political life since the Constitution entered into force are evaluated in terms of the potential trajectory of political life in Kyrgyzstan.