Last updated (GMT/UTC): 21.10.2009 08:27
BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan's president has nominated Daniyar Usenov as the country's next prime minister, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Usenov has been President Kurmanbek Bakiev's chief of staff since January, having previously served as first deputy prime minister.
The parliamentary group of the ruling Ak Jol party endorsed Usenov's nomination shortly thereafter.
The government of former Prime Minister Igor Chudinov resigned on October 20 after Bakiev disseminated a sweeping administrative-reform decree.
Former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov told RFE/RL that it will be difficult for the new government to work under the reform plan, which has been criticized by the opposition as another step toward boosting the president's "semi-authoritarian" powers.