Kyrgyz ruling coalition splits

Ar-namys and Ata-Meken, the two parties making the ruling coalition of the Kyrgyz parliament, have split, head of the ruling coalition Kanat Isayev said, RIA Novosti reports.

Most ministers, including the prime minister, must resign and the president must give a fraction the mandate to form a new coalition in 15 days.

Five parties have parliamentary seats in Kyrgyzstan: Social-Democratic Party, Ata-Meken, Republic, Ar-Namys (entered in December 2011) and Ata-Zhurt (opposition).

Ata-Meken has accused Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov of corruption. He was accused of being presented with a steed worth up to $1.3 million as a present for signing a multi-million dollar contract for construction of an aero navigation tower at the Manas International Airport. The PM’s press service published a deal on purchase of the steed for $20,000.