Aysylbek Zheenbekov Elected Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh
Immediately before his election, Jeenbekov stated that he would not reduce the number of staff in the parliament's apparatus, as this step could weaken the parliament. It is worth noting that the parliamentary faction "Respublika-Ata Jurt" had previously proposed to reduce the number of committees in the Jogorku Kenesh from 14 to 7, and the number of vice-speakers to two.
– We cannot only focus on cuts and make the Jogorku Kenesh powerless. We must listen to external criticism, but that does not mean we should always yield to it and weaken the Jogorku Kenesh. We have already reduced the unjustifiably expanded staff from 2012 and 2013. Now we cannot cut the apparatus, otherwise it will become ineffective. However, small reductions may be possible when committees are merged, – said Asylbek Jeenbekov.
He also noted that if the Kyrgyz parliament of the 5th convocation was a parliament of stability, then the parliament of the 6th convocation should become a parliament of development. Jeenbekov also informed his colleagues that he is aware of the responsibility placed upon him and will do everything to not let the parliamentarians down.
– To become a parliament of development, we need constructive interaction among the factions. There are six parliamentary factions, but Kyrgyzstan is one, and I believe we will adhere to this principle. All factions must fulfill the mandates of their voters. In the previous convocation, there were both successes and shortcomings. We must eliminate these shortcomings in this convocation, discuss and adopt a strategy. This will be a roadmap of actions that we must all accomplish together, – noted Jeenbekov.
It should also be noted that the leader of the SDPK party, Chynybay Tursunbekov, to whom the President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambaev handed the mandate to form a coalition, announced the creation of a majority coalition. The coalition includes parties such as SDPK, "Kyrgyzstan," "Onuguu – Progress," and "Ata Meken." It comprises 80 deputies, and Tursunbekov himself was elected as the chairman. The leader of the SDPK also added that their coalition proposes to reduce the number of vice-speakers from six to two, and the number of committees from fourteen to nine.
Recall that the Kyrgyz parliament of the 6th convocation began its work on October 28. Following the parliamentary elections held on October 4, six parties entered the Jogorku Kenesh: SDPK (38 mandates), "Respublika – Ata-Jurt" (28 mandates), "Kyrgyzstan" (18 mandates), "Onuguu-Progress" (13 mandates), "Bir Bol" (12 mandates), and "Ata Meken" (11 mandates).
