Jeenbekov, Sooronbai Sharipovich, 1958–, Kyrgyz political leader. A zoological engineer and accountant by training, he was first elected to the legislature in 1995 and served as minister of agriculture, governor of the Osh region, and director of state personnel. A member of the Social Democratic party, he was prime minister (2016–17) and was elected president in 2017. The handpicked successor of Almazbek Atambayev, Jeenbekov reduced Atambayev's influence in the government and was challenged politically by him, but Atambayev was arrested on corruption and murder charges in 2019. In Oct., 2020, he resigned following days of unrest provoked by strong progovernment results in parliamentary elections.
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