Kyrgyz Parliament Rejects Constitutional Amendments
December 25, 2006
Kyrgyz parliament (file photo) (RFE/RL)
rejected a proposal to amend the constitution that was adopted in early
November amid a massive opposition demonstration in Bishkek, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Among the amendments were articles reinstating the president's right to appoint a prime minister and government.
Opposition lawmaker Omurbek Tekebaev accused President Kurmanbek Bakiev of trying to break the deal he made when the government agreed to adopt a new constitution and restore the system of government in place under former President Askar Akaev.
"President [Bakiev] wants revenge, a restoration of the old system, he wants even more power and [rights] than former President Akaev," Tekebaev said.
The issue of amending the new constitution has divided Kyrgyzstan's parliament. At the start of today's session, deputy speaker of parliament Erkinbek Alymbekov threatened to resign if the amendments were approved.
(with material from AKIpress, 24.kg)