Akylbek Japarov. Photo courtesy of bulak.kg
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov stepped down as head of the government on December 16. President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree relieving the politician of his duties due to a transition to another position, according to the presidential press service.
However, the news outlet 24.kg, citing its own sources, reported that the now-former prime minister submitted his resignation voluntarily.
The publication Kaktus.media, also citing government sources, confirmed that Japarov left his post to take up another role, with speculation that he will be appointed as an advisor to President Sadyr Japarov.
According to Interfax, which contacted the president’s press service, no government reshuffle is planned as a result of the prime minister's resignation, and all current ministers will retain their positions.
It was later announced that Adylbek Kasymaliev, who previously served as First Deputy to Akylbek Japarov, has been appointed Acting Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration.
Adylbek Kasymaliev was born in 1960 in the Issyk-Kul Region. He holds a degree in economics from the Leningrad Financial and Economic Institute. He began his career at the Economic Institute of the State Planning Committee of Kyrgyzstan before transitioning to state bodies. Kasymaliev has served as head of the State Tax Service and as Deputy Minister of Economy. From 2015 to 2018, he led the Ministry of Finance. In 2022, he was appointed First Deputy Chairman of the Government.
Akylbek Japarov served as Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan from June to October 2021 while simultaneously heading the Ministry of Economy and Finance. On October 13 of the same year, at the proposal of Sadyr Japarov, he was confirmed by parliament as Chairman of the Government and Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration.
