Kyrgyzstan votes on constitution boosting president’s powers
PTI, Apr 11, 2021, 9:31 AM IST
Moscow: Voters in Kyrgyzstan will cast ballots Sunday on whether to approve a new constitution that would substantially increase the president’s powers in this impoverished central Asian country.
The referendum comes three months after Sadyr Zhaparov was elected president, following the ouster of the previous president amid protests, the third time in 15 years that a leader of Kyrgyzstan had been driven from office in a popular uprising.
In the January election that brought Zhaparov to office, voters also approved a referendum on whether presidential powers should be increased.
The proposed new constitution would reduce the size of the country’s parliament by 25 per cent to 90 seats and give the president the power to appoint judges and heads of law-enforcement agencies.
It also calls for creating an advisory council that critics say could essentially become a shadow parliament or an instrument for the president to exert pressure.
Zhaparov last year was serving a prison sentence on charges of abducting a regional governor amid a dispute over a gold mine when he was freed by demonstrators who contested the results of the October parliamentary election.
Immediately after his release, Zhaparov mobilized stone-hurling supporters to evict President Sooronbai Jeenbekov from office and then took the helm as the country’s interim leader.
Kyrgyzstan, a nation of 6.5 million people that borders China, is a member of Russia-dominated economic and security alliances. It hosts a Russian airbase and depends on Moscow’s economic support.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
‘America of your dreams calling’: Biden to Democratic supporters
Indian consulate in Canada cancels consular camps due over security issues
Hindu temple in Brampton suspends priest for spreading ‘violent rhetoric’
President Xi congratulates Trump; says China, US should find ‘right way’ to manage differences
Harris, Trump agree on importance of unifying country as they speak over phone
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Neeraj Chopra to head to South Africa for off-season training later this month
Sensex, Nifty fall for 2nd day on FII selling; RIL, ICICI Bank major drag
Akhilesh Yadav attacks BJP on demonetisation anniversary
SC notice to Karnataka, DK Shivakumar on CBI plea against withdrawal of consent by state govt
DeMo paved way for monopolies by devastating MSMEs, informal sector: Rahul on note ban anniversary
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.