POREG VIEW: It is nearly two months since Kyrgyzstan had its first tryst with the ballot on October 10, but is still unable to form a government. A repeat election appears a possibility unless the lead players and their patrons abroad decide otherwise.

On her part, President Roza Otunbayeva has not given up hope though her own party has failed to make the grade. On Saturday she asked Omurbek Babanov, leader of the Respublika party, to cobble up a coalition within 15 working days.  His party has a pan-Kyrgyzstan presence and had won seats in the South and North of the country won Babanov himself is from the north. And this makes him entertain hopes of a breakthrough to the impasse created by the split electoral verdict.

At least three of the five-parties in Parliament should come together to form the government.  The first attempt at coalition was made on Nov 30 when three parties agreed to work together. But two days later, the coalition split when it failed to elect a new speaker. Omurbek Tekebayev, architect of the parliamentary reforms, fell three votes short of the majority required to become speaker.

According to Kyrgyzstan’s constitution, three failed attempts would trigger a re-run of elections.