The Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s supreme council, supported a bill to alter the national flag during its initial reading in parliament on November 29, with 66 deputies in favor and eight representatives opposing the document.
President Sadyr Japarov recently criticized the flag’s design, stating that its central element resembled a sunflower, a symbol in local culture associated with changeability and subservience. Following this criticism, others echoed similar concerns, prompting the bill’s proposal in parliament.
One of the authors of the bill, Speaker Nurlanbek Shakiev, assured that if the flag undergoes changes, it won’t impact the budget negatively. He mentioned that sponsors would cover expenses in places where alterations are necessary.
Nevertheless, critics disapprove of the swift approval of the initial draft without deliberation, labeling it rushed. Representative Erulan Kokulov argued that the flag represents all citizens and asserted that such a significant decision should have been resolved through a referendum.
The primary aim of the proposed law is to “enhance the flag, a key national symbol of the country.”
