The article analyzes the current state of the Kyrgyz Republic, with emphasis on the problem of the national elite, which should provoke and promote democratic reforms. A separate aspect of the elite problem appears situation with political parties. In this regard, there is a problem of political culture, reflecting the coexistence of different segments. The article was written during the period of research internship at the Kennan Institute of Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (Washington DC, USA)