In the elections to the Jogorku Kenesh held on November 30, Shairbek Tashiev, the younger brother of the head of the GKNB, became the undisputed winner, receiving support from a significant number of voters. Despite discussions about possible manipulations and the use of administrative resources, the surname "Tashiev" today inspires trust among most Kyrgyzstanis.
If Kamchybek Kydyrshaevich Tashiev had decided to participate in the elections, his rating would likely have been even higher than that of his brother, attracting an unprecedented number of votes.
The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, is working on strengthening the international image of the country, while Kamchybek Tashiev is focused on ensuring internal and external security. Over five years, he has managed to gain immense trust from the people, and Kyrgyzstanis quickly figured out whom to cast their votes for.
Political scientist Mars Sariev noted back in 2019 that the political weight of former president Almazbek Atambayev had significantly decreased: "There were no mass protests against Atambayev's arrest, as had happened before. This underscores the loss of his electorate."
The question is, who can realistically compete with the current authorities? Who is capable of providing worthy opposition to the president or General Tashiev? And it's not just about political repression: it is clear to Kyrgyzstanis that there are no alternatives to the current government.
Akaev has long left the political arena and lives in Russia, Bakiev might want to return but realizes that it's impossible and prefers to remain in Belarus. Jeenbekov leads a quiet life as a pensioner in Kyrgyzstan and does not aspire to return to politics. Until recently, the only remaining opponent was Atambayev, who was trying to plan his return from abroad.
Atambayev's supporters are trying to convince others that the authorities are taking revenge on him and have created conditions for his non-return, but in reality, he has created difficult conditions for himself by manipulating former associates and avoiding responsibility.
When asked what Atambayev did to deserve the people's love, the answer is one: nothing. He talked a lot, but his words had no action. People are disappointed with empty promises and do not believe in his return.
For the people to follow someone, they must feel trust. They must be sure that this person will not betray them and will help in difficult times.
In mid-December, a case was discussed in Kyrgyz social media where Colonel Adil Moldoev of the Ministry of Emergency Situations was saved after a stroke. He urgently needed evacuation to Bishkek while in Karakol. Assol Moldokmatova recounted how Governor Abdikrim Alimbaev, being next to General Tashiev, organized the helicopter flight, which ultimately saved Moldoev's life.
This case demonstrates that Tashiev is not just engaged in charity; he lives by the principle of "we do not abandon our own," which applies to all the people of Kyrgyzstan. His work is aimed at supporting ordinary citizens who strive for the country's prosperity.
Unlike Atambayev, Tashiev does not seek personal glory; he openly reports to the people about his actions. He acknowledges difficulties and failures but continues to urge people to believe in a better future.
And the people believe.
In the 2010 elections, the party "Ata-Zhurt," led by Tashiev, confidently held leading positions, and it became clear to many that it could lead the country out of the crisis.
In the 2020s, Colonel General Tashiev announced the cessation of his party's participation in elections, which was a principled and honest decision. Nevertheless, the facts indicate that neither he nor his supporters lost the people's support; on the contrary, they significantly increased it, becoming true leaders for Kyrgyzstanis, whom they are ready to follow.
