William Daniels, Faded Tulips, from PRIVATE 48 – Economic inequalities, pp. 44-47
In 2005 the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan brought hope for democracy. Motivated by social injustice, the Kyrgyz people overthrew President Askar Akayev’s authoritarian and corrupted regime and elected Kurmanbek Bakiyev, an opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The international community welcomed the uprising.
Four years later, hope is fading. Inequality and poverty heavily contribute to Kyrgyz daily life.
The economic situation is dire: 40% of the population live below the poverty line and the country is one of the most indebted in the world. Nearly half of the population say that they regret the end of the communist era. In July 2009, Bakiyev was re-elected with a 78% majority. Local and international monitors reported that the contest was marred by widespread irregularities and the misuse of administrative resources. The revolution, it seems, is dead.
