BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Kyrgyz politicians will attempt to form a new government within two weeks after its ruling coalition collapsed under the strain of a deepening economic crisis and corruption allegations against the prime minister.
President Almazbek Atambayev will try to unite the squabbling politicians after dissolving the government Friday, two days after the withdrawal of two parties cost the coalition its majority in parliament.
Falling output at the Kumtor gold mine, the flagship asset of Canadian miner Centerra Gold, contributed to a 5 percentage point contraction in the economy in the first seven months of this year.
Two of the four parties withdrew in protest of the shrinking economy and purported corruption, leaving Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov's Respublika party and the Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan without the majority to form a government.
By law, Atambayev has three days to appoint a party to form a new coalition, which in turn has 15 days to complete its task. Babanov and his Cabinet will continue in an acting capacity pending the formation of a new government.
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