ВISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan's ruling coalition has collapsed after eight months in power.
The Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party announced on August 22 that it was leaving the coalition, a day after another coalition member, Ar-Namys (Dignity), announced its withdrawal.
The breakup came amid infighting between members of the coalition over Kyrgyzstan's weak economy and official corruption.
In a joint statement, deputies from Ata-Meken and Ar-Namys called on Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov to resign.
A coalition spokesman said all cabinet members must now resign and a new coalition must be formed. But Babanov's office said a ruling from the president was required.
The split leaves the two other coalition members -- Babanov's Respublika party and President Almazbek Atambaev's Social-Democratic Party -- without the majority needed to form a government.
The Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party announced on August 22 that it was leaving the coalition, a day after another coalition member, Ar-Namys (Dignity), announced its withdrawal.
The breakup came amid infighting between members of the coalition over Kyrgyzstan's weak economy and official corruption.
In a joint statement, deputies from Ata-Meken and Ar-Namys called on Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov to resign.
A coalition spokesman said all cabinet members must now resign and a new coalition must be formed. But Babanov's office said a ruling from the president was required.
The split leaves the two other coalition members -- Babanov's Respublika party and President Almazbek Atambaev's Social-Democratic Party -- without the majority needed to form a government.
