In Kyrgyzstan, voters approve new constitution establishing presidential system

Voters in Kyrgyzstan have approved a new constitution that expands the power of the president in a referendum, according to preliminary results. Voters in Kyrgyzstan have approved a new constitution that expands the power of the president in a referendum, according to preliminary results. The Central Election Commission (BShK) said results from 90 percent of ballots showed that around 79 percent of voters backed the constitutional amendments. The BShK said turnout was around 35 percent, just above the 30 percent threshold required to make the referendum valid. The new constitution reduces the size of parliament by 25 percent to 90 seats and gives the president the power to appoint judges and heads of law enforcement agencies. The current law allowing a president only one term will be scrapped in favor of allowing reelection to a second term. The amendments also envision the creation of a so-called People's Kurultai (Assembly), described as "a consultative and coordinating organ" that would be controlled by the president. Critics say it could act as a parallel parliament and a way for the president to exert more power.
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