Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 27
By Elena Kosolapova – Trend:
Proposed constitutional reforms are the main reason for the government resignation in Kyrgyzstan, Michael Laubsch, executive director of Eurasian Transition Group, a European non-profit organization, and an expert on the Central Asia, believes.
This week Kyrgyzstan’s Social Democratic Party decided to leave the coalition of the parliamentary majority. Withdrawal of the Social Democratic Party which had the majority of seats in the parliament resulted in the coalition disintegration, which in turn means resignation of the government according to Kyrgyz law.
Yesterday Kyrgyz president signed a decree on the government resignation.
“In my view, the main reason that the government had so step down lies in the proposed constitutional reforms, brought into parliament by members of the Social Democratic Party. Those reform proposals were widely criticized by a majority of MPs and also the civil society. A compromise could not be found, so the coalition fell apart,” Laubsch told Trend on Oct. 27.
The expert noted that it is still not clear how the problem can be solved with a new government.
“I personally don't see a parliamentary majority for those reforms, as well as the society is opposing them. Therefore, I predict that sooner or later the president has to call for early presidential elections,” Laubsch said.
In late July 2016, Kyrgyz Parliament introduced a draft law on the referendum on a number of amendments to the Constitution. In particular, amendments envisage strengthening the powers of the prime minister. For example, prime minister will have right for no-confidence vote in the government and appoint and dismiss members of the government. In addition, amendments will be made to certain provisions of the constitution relating to higher values (human rights, citizenship, criminal prosecution).
Yesterday the Kyrgyz Parliament in the final reading passed the law on the referendum, which envisages possibility of a referendum if it is called by parliament members or a group of voters.
The law should also be signed by the president. It is expected that the referendum on amendment to the Constitution, planned for Dec. 11, will be carried out within this law.
The previous version of Kyrgyz Constitution prohibited any kinds of amendments until 2020.