Kyrgyz President Against Hasty Constitutional Reforms

Bakiev was elected to the presidency in July. Reforming the constitution was one of the main pledges he made on the campaign trail, in addition to promises to curb the president’s authority and give more power to parliament.

Bakiev now says that Kyrgyzstan is not yet ready for such changes, but that the Kyrgyz people will eventually decide on the shape of the country’s constitution. Bakiev said a new constitution should be put into effect in 2010.

Kyrgyz lawmakers began drafting a new constitution shortly after the regime of President Askar Akaev was overthrown in March in a popular revolution.

Bakiev said on 15 December that three draft versions of a new constitution have been drawn up, outlining the options of a presidential, parliamentary, or presidential-parliamentary system of government.

(AP/Kabar)