Opposition Rails Against New Constitution

Two opposition parties have formed an election bloc in order to fight what they describe as democratic backsliding in Kazakstan, but NBCentralAsia commentators say the move comes too late to allow the opposition to strengthen its position.



On May 23, the National Social Democratic Party and Nagyz Ak Jol announced the creation of an election bloc called For a Fair Kazakstan, whose aim will be to “counteract anti-democratic tendencies” in Kazak politics.



The new alliance has promised to raise public awareness about political and legal issues, propose new legislation and organise events that will promote people’s rights and freedoms.



The leader of the National Social Democrats, Jarman Tuyakbay, has said the constitutional reforms adopted last week had left the public disappointed. The worst of the changes, in Tuyakbay’s view, allow the current Kazak president to stand for election as many times as he likes and to dissolve the lower house of parliament or Majilis “without having to give a reason, and without restrictions”..



Other amendments include granting the president the right to initiate legislation independently of government, an increase in the number of seats in the legislature, and a change in the election system for the lower house of parliament so that all seats will be based on proportional representation using party lists.



NBCentralAsia observers explain that the opposition parties are disgruntled at being left out of the debate on constitutional reforms, and at the possibility of an early election which would not leave them time to prepare.



Last week, Amzebek Jolshibekov, head of the parliamentary faction of the presidential Nur Otan party, announced that the Majilis might opt to dissolve itself, meaning that the 2009 election would be brought forward – possibly to this autumn.



“Everyone realises that parliament will soon be dissolved because [its structure] does not fit the [revised] constitution. The opposition has created this alliance to avoid being taken by surprise,” said human rights activist Rozlana Taukina.



Taukina suggests that neither the opposition's legitimate discontent nor its moves to create a new bloc will reverse the trend towards a narrowing of the political space.



Political scientist Oleg Sidorov says the opposition’s reaction, which comes after the fact, will not shift the course of political events from its current path.



“How can the opposition counter this? It could engage the public in a debate on the issues by organising protests, arranging public hearings and collecting signatures. But it all will be done in retrospect. It won’t change the situation,” Sidorov suggests.



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