DUSHANBE, June 29, 2010, Asia-Plus — Introduction of a parliamentary form of government is not an open sesame to democracy in Kyrgyzstan, Tajik political scientist Parviz Mullojonov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
“It is just one of forms of government and nothing more than that,” said Mullojonov, “Islam Karimov, for example, was also going to initiate the introduction of such a form of government in Uzbekistan, but I strongly doubt that Uzbek leader wanted to see real democracy there.”
According to him, if to speak about a distant prospect, such a form of government may be more democratic. “At this moment in time, the new Kyrgyz government had to somehow legitimate its existence,” the expert said, “The goal on legitimization of the government has been reached and now, it has the right to talk legally to other countries and it is not so important for various groups round Roza Otunbayeva whether it is a presidential republic or a parliamentary republic.”
Mr. Mullojonov is sure that the new form of government in Kyrgyzstan will not have impact on relations of this republic with neighboring countries, including Tajikistan. He also expressed doubts that other Central Asia’s countries will be able to make shift to the parliamentary form of government in the near future.
We will recall that Kyrgyzstan conducted constitutional referendum on June 27. Kyrgyz officials say some 90 percent of participants approved the constitution, paving the way for the first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia and allowing parliamentary elections planned for October. According to election officials, nearly 70 percent of 2.7 million eligible voters took part in the referendum. The new constitution considerably reduces presidential powers. Tajikistan welcomed Kyrgyzstan”s referendum results and Tajik FMA said that Dushanbe would work with any government the people of Kyrgyzstan choose for themselves. Final results of the referendum will be available later in the week.
