Kyrgyz Constitutional Struggle Continues

Despite the adoption of the new constitution, the reform process in Kyrgyzstan is far from complete and new confrontations are likely, say NBCentralAsia analysts.



The Kyrgyz parliament voted to adopt the new constitution on December 30 – the second version signed in 2006 – as a way out of the deadlock caused by the resignation of the government earlier in the month and after pressure from the opposition. Cabinet members who resigned are still working as acting ministers



A new government is to be formed by a political party that wins the most seats during the election based on proportional representation. The current parliament was elected on the basis of single-mandate constituencies.



Under the new constitution, President Kurmanbek Bakiev can appoint the prime minister after the approval of the parliament. Bakiev’s new, broader powers also include appointing regional governors and authority over law enforcement agencies.



Political analyst Valentin Bogatyrev suggests the new constitution may not be legal, as it has not been approved by the constitutional court - which, court head Cholpon Baekova said on December 30, is necessary. This, however, is impossible as parliament has not yet elected new members, and the court lacks a quorum.



Other observers note that the adoption of the new constitution does not mean the end of political tensions on the issue. “The opposition is definitely not satisfied with the newly acquired powers of the president,” said Temirlan Ibraimov, director of the Centre for Political and Legal Studies.



“The process of political confrontations, including those related to the constitution, will soon resume with new force,” he added.



He said the December version of the constitution is no better than the previous one, particularly the “structure, the way it is written and [its] integrity”.



Bogatyrev agrees, “The new version of the constitution does not differ significantly from the previous one. It is a chaotic, poorly developed and inconsistent document.”



(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region)