Kyrgyz Legislators Call For Dissolution Of Parliament

Kyrgyzstan's parliament (file photo) (RFE/RL) BISHKEK, November 20, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Some Kyrgyz parliamentarians today suggested that the legislature pass a measure on its own dissolution.

Pro-government lawmaker Kamchybek Tashiev, in particular, noted that under the new constitution that officially came into force earlier this month (November 9), the number of parliamentary seats should be increased to 90 from the current 75.


Tashiev argued that under the current situation it is unclear what the quorum should be to make any decision.


Kyrgyzstan's 24.kg news agency reports that some opposition parliamentarians backed Tashiev's proposal, adding that there also should be early presidential elections.


But Parliament Speaker Marat Sultanov downplayed Tashiev's suggestion, saying it had the support of no more than 10 percent of lawmakers.


Sultanov's deputy, Taiyrbek Sarpashev, was more outspoken.


"Some lawmakers are making this populist suggestion to dissolve the parliament in a bid to win political gains," he said. "I would even say this goes beyond populism."


The new constitution, which was hurriedly adopted amid widespread opposition-sponsored street protests, says both the president and parliament should remain in place until their respective mandates expire in 2010.


(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, AKIpress, 24.kg)

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