Kyrgyz president accepts PM's resignation

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev signed a decree Friday to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Joomart Otorbayev and his cabinet, the presidential press service said.

The members of the cabinet will continue to perform their duties until the formation of a new government, the press service said.

According to local analysts, First Deputy Prime Minister Taiyrbek Sarpashev, Economy Minister Temir Sariyev, and former Transport and Communications Minister Kalybek Sultanov are possible candidates for the post of prime minister.

Otorbayev, who was named prime minister in April 2014, announced his resignation Thursday after delivering his government work report for 2014 at a parliament session.

It was reported that Otorbayev has been criticized by the opposition in parliament for his failure to properly solve the issue of shareholdings related to the Kumtor gold mine, the largest one in Kyrgyzstan, and the opposition has demanded his resignation.

Under the Kyrgyz Constitution, the majority coalition will have to nominate a candidate for premiership for parliament approval within 15 days.