AP News, October 22nd, 2007
The president of Kyrgyzstan dissolved parliament Monday, moving to strengthen his control after voters overwhelmingly approved constitutional changes that his critics called a grab for power.
The move by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was his latest battle with lawmakers — a dispute that has persisted in the Central Asian country of 5 million since a popular uprising ousted its longtime leader in 2005.
The confrontation has hindered efforts to reduce poverty and social problems in the strategically important country, which hosts a U.S. air base as well as a growing Russian military base.
Parliament passed two sets of constitutional changes last year curtailing the president's powers. But lawmakers reversed them a month later after Bakiyev threatened to dissolve the legislature, returning to the president the authority to form the Cabinet.
In a televised address, Bakiyev accused parliament of overstepping its authority.
"Throughout my term, I have tried to shift the restless energy of this parliament into a creative channel," Bakiyev said. "However, parliament has often considered the fight to widen its own powers more important."
According to the Central Election Commission, 74.5 percent of voters approved the changes Bakiyev proposed in Sunday's constitutional referendum, under which parliament will be elected by party lists.
Critics have said the changes, which eliminate direct election of individual candidates, will hurt smaller parties and independent politicians. Bakiyev's opponents claimed the vote was an attempt by the president to sideline the opposition and help his political allies dominate parliament.
It came after the creation of a pro-government party, Ak Zhol or Bright Path, earlier this month.
After parliament held its final session Monday, former Deputy Speaker Erkinbek Alymbekov said the changes could lead to a "strict, totalitarian system of power" in the ex-Soviet republic.
There were no immediate signs, however, that Bakiyev's moves would bring opposition protesters into the streets, as during previous disputes. The last major anti-government protest in the capital, Bishkek, took place in April, and it was forcibly dispersed.
The president's office called on law enforcement agencies Monday to ensure public calm. But in his address, Bakiyev said that no emergency measures would be put in place.
Kyrgyzstan has been troubled by political tension since Askar Akayev was ousted from the presidency by opposition protesters in 2005 and fled to Russia. It was claims of fraud in the election of the current parliament that sparked the protests that brought Bakiyev to power.
Since then, the former opposition forces that were instrumental in Akayev's removal have battled each other for influence.
Former parliament Speaker Marat Sultanov said that, under the newly approved constitution, elections should be held around mid-December.
