Photo 24.kg. Edil Baisalov (left) and Maxim Poletaev
In a recent interview for 24.kg, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Edil Baisalov, who is responsible for social issues, shares his views on the current problems facing the country. The conversation took place without prior agreement on questions, allowing for a discussion of many pressing topics: from criticism of human rights defenders and freedom of speech to issues of rising prices, the housing crisis in Bishkek, the shortage of doctors, education reform, migration, and the resonating formula of the "Russian world".
Edil did not shy away from sharp statements: he confirmed that the rise in prices is indeed felt, explained how social networks can "harm" society, and emphasized that criticism of the authorities is acceptable, but inciting interethnic hatred is unacceptable.
— Thank you for agreeing to meet. For reference: the questions were not agreed upon in advance.
— That’s right. This is how dialogue with society should take place.
— Your story as a human rights defender, who left the country in 2007 under pressure and then returned, is often discussed. Some NGOs claim: “Baisalov used to advocate for freedoms, but now he has become a supporter of harsh measures.” How do you comment on this?
— This is a natural transformation. We have been living in independence for 35 years, and a large part of the population was born after 1991 — for them, political history seems distant. However, I do not renounce my principles. I still believe that I am defending the rights and freedoms of people.
— So where did this misunderstanding arise? Why is your image perceived differently?
— In my opinion, many have begun to confuse freedom with the right to incite conflicts. Sometimes freedom is understood as toxicity, hysteria, and attempts to destabilize society. The maturity of a nation implies the ability to distinguish between constructive criticism and destructive behavior.
— And yet, why did you leave?
— I could not leave my family in danger. I had a small daughter, a young wife, and elderly parents. It was a forced decision, not a fleeting act of heroism.
— How did your time in Sweden influence your views?
— I realized that the myth of "everyone for themselves" does not work even within capitalism. It is important to find a balance of interests — family, children, and the state. This strengthened my social beliefs.
— You characterized the period of parliamentary republic as “pseudo-parliamentarism.” Why do you think this model did not work?
— We received not a full-fledged structure, but only its semblance. Under the guise of parliamentarism, elite games and informal bargaining were observed in practice, which led to public disappointment in democracy. This is very dangerous.
— You say: “We got burned.” What lesson did you learn from this?
— Democracy is not a competition to see who criticizes louder. The main goal of the state is to improve the lives of citizens, not constant scandals around individual personalities.
— What types of criticism of the authorities do you consider acceptable today?
— Any criticism should be permissible. Kyrgyzstan is a free state, and every citizen has the right to hold their own opinion, different from the official position.
— But you yourself speak of boundaries. Where do they lie?
— The red line is inciting hatred, threatening social unity. Information hygiene is also important: social networks should not serve as a platform for destructive actions. One careless post can become a spark for conflict.
— Do you acknowledge that sometimes people are summoned for questioning “for the slightest reason”?
— Yes, that happens, and I don’t always like it either. However, freedom of speech is our common asset and an important condition for successful development.
— You have an interesting formula: “We can live two to three times better, but become ten times unhappier.” What is this about?
— This is about the negative atmosphere and algorithms. At the Olympics in Paris, I noticed that instead of pride, there was hysteria due to fakes. Algorithms work in such a way that they amplify negativity. If society is not protected from toxicity, even with economic growth, people will experience dissatisfaction.
— Do you believe this is the responsibility of the state?
— Absolutely. The state must care not only about material well-being but also about the moral state of society.
— People complain: “Life is getting more expensive faster than salaries.” What is your response?
— I do not deny that this feeling exists. But real incomes are growing faster than inflation. It is important to note that this is not just a matter of printing money — the high prices are largely caused by imports. But I agree that many families are struggling, and we see that.
— So why doesn’t the dissatisfaction go away?
— Because income growth is distributed unevenly, and basic expenses such as food, housing, and utilities “eat up” the feeling of improvements.
— Prices for housing and rent are rising in Bishkek. What are your actions?
— It is necessary to not only develop mortgage programs. We need to create social and service housing where people could rent from the state, not from private owners. It is also important to increase the volume of construction, as demand significantly exceeds supply due to demographic changes and urbanization.
— You mentioned student dormitories.
— Yes, a long-term program is being prepared. Students simply have nowhere to live; this is also part of the housing problem.
— Your statements about schools have caused much discussion. The Ministry of Education speaks of a shortage of teachers, while you emphasize quality. What is the conflict?
Read on the topic
Intentionally caused a resonance. Edil Baisalov on hiring teachers from the street
— I intentionally raised this issue because there is a group of people who accidentally ended up in schools and do not meet the requirements. Parents vote with their feet, choosing schools, even if it means covering long distances, because the quality of education in the nearest school does not satisfy them.
— How do you explain the admission of people without pedagogical education into schools?
— This is a practice widespread around the world. If an engineer can teach physics better than a certified educator, he should be given that opportunity. But at the same time, it is necessary to ensure training, courses, and certification. We proceed from the interests of the child.
— The Ministry of Health mentions a shortage of medical workers. What is the reason?
Read on the topic
They will be no worse than in the Czech Republic and Turkey. Edil Baisalov on hospitals in Kyrgyzstan
— Salary is important, and it will grow. But two key points are the provision of housing for young specialists and the state of hospital infrastructure. Young people want to work in modern conditions, and most of our infrastructure is outdated, sometimes with “conveniences in the yard.” A doctor coming into such conditions often becomes disappointed.
— When will people be able to see changes?
— We will not be able to change everything in five years. But within ten years, district hospitals and clinics should change significantly to improve the overall well-being of people.
— Blacklists in Russia, issues with medical insurance, and within Kyrgyzstan — workers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, China. How do you explain this?
— The number of our migrants in Russia has significantly decreased. Migration will remain, but its meaning must change: it should become an opportunity for learning and skill transfer. We will insist on the principles of free movement of labor within the EAEU. Currently, this is not the case, but we will work on it.
— Why has Kyrgyzstan started accepting foreign workers?
— The economy has developed faster than labor market regulation. Construction sites need workers “yesterday.” This is a new challenge, and we will launch programs for skill enhancement and work culture.
— Your phrase that “we are part of the Russian world” has caused much discussion. How do you explain this?
— I spoke about the cultural and informational reality: about the content that people consume, in what language, what films and news. This does not mean renouncing one's identity. On the contrary, we need world-class content in the Kyrgyz language so that the language becomes not only a subject of study but also a medium of communication.
— What is your opinion on the debates surrounding Chingiz Aitmatov?
— Chingiz Aitmatov is a great son of the people. However, I am against the cult of personality when the name is used as a weapon without reading the works. The centenary of his birth should be celebrated at the international level, but without turning him into a monument.
— What are your plans for 2026? They say it will be your last year in office.
— Yes, I want to complete my work within this presidential term with dignity. The main thing is to lay the foundation for changes that will not depend on names. The most difficult and important task is education reform. This concerns one and a half million children, thousands of schools, and tens of thousands of teachers. There will be mistakes, and we will correct them. But we cannot deviate from the set course: the results will be visible in 15 years.
