Will Opposition Leader Bakiev Be Kyrgyzstans Next President?
By Gulnoza Saidazimova Kurmanbek Bakiev, head of the People’s Movement of Kyrgyzstan, was one of the most visible opposition figures during antigovernment protests in Bishkek today. The former prime minister last year became the first candidate nominated to stand in this October’s presidential elections. But in the recent parliamentary elections, which are at the heart of the current demonstrations, Bakiev failed to win a seat, despite running against a relatively unknown businessman. So what are his chances now? Will Bakiev emerge as the clear leader of the opposition movement and a likely successor to President Askar Akaev? Prague, 24 March 2005 (RFE/RL) — Kyrgyz demonstrators cheered Kurmanbek Bakiev during today’s decisive protests in Bishkek. Shortly before demonstrators stormed the capital’s presidential compound, Bakiev told protesters that rallies in the country’s south were continuing peacefully — with local government officials and opposition activists working on the same s
