Kazakh Parliament To Consider Constitutional Changes

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev (official site) May 15, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- A bill on constitutional changes is expected to be presented May 16 at a joint session of both chambers of Kazakhstan's parliament.

On May 14, President Nursultan Nazarbaev said the changes involve the redistribution of powers from the president to parliament, the parliamentary election system, the role of political parties, the increased role of local government bodies, and the development of guarantees of human rights.

Igor Rogov, chairman of the Constitutional Council, said the amendments' primary purpose is to change the country's system of government by giving more power to the legislature.

(with material from Kazakhstan Today, Interfax-Kazakhstan)