DUSHANBE, December 26, Asia-Plus – Deputies of Zhogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyzstan”s parliament) yesterday rejected a new draft of the new edition of the Constitution, AKI press reported.
59 bulletins were issued and 46 deputies voted for the proposal to amend the constitution and three voted against it. More than 50 votes were needed for adoption of the amendments to the constitution that was adopted in early November amid a massive opposition demonstration in Bishkek.
On December 21, 41 deputies of the Zhogorku Kenesh, including Tashiyev, Keldibekov, Masaliyev, Torobayev and Gaipkulov, proposed to adopt the new edition of the constitution for making editing amendments and more precise interpretation of the constitution’s articles.
Some deputies came out against this proposal.
Among the amendments proposed by 41 parliamentarians were articles reinstating the president”s right to appoint heads of districts and regions, heads of the interior ministry, national security service, foreign ministry and defense ministry.
Radio Liberty’s Kyrgyz Service reported that opposition lawmaker Omurbek Tekebayev accused President Kurmanbek Bakiyev 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 Akayev. “President [Bakiyev] wants revenge, a restoration of the old system, he wants even more power and [rights] than former President Akayev,” Tekebayev said.
According to Radio Liberty, the issue of amending the new constitution has divided Kyrgyzstan”s parliament. At the start of yesterday’s session, deputy speaker of parliament Erkinbek Alymbekov threatened to resign if the amendments were approved.
