Ex-PM calls for strengthening powers of Kyrgyz president.

BISHKEK, October 27 (Itar-Tass) - Powers of Kyrgyzstan's president
should be strengthened despite the fact that the
parliamentary-presidential form of government was recently introduced in
the Central Asian republic, said the former prime minister, Felix Kulov,
who leads the Ar Namys Party that came third in the October 10
parliamentary elections.
"In the parliament we will insist on strengthening the powers of the
president in the country. Our party believes that such form of government
is good, but it is untimely and cannot be translated into reality in the
current conditions," he said.
Kulov expressed confidence that high political culture is necessary
for the parliamentary form of government can become effective, "while the
Kyrgyz society now lacks this culture."
"Now it will be more right to facilitate the presidential powers. In
compliance with the Constitution its provisions cannot be changed during
ten years, but we have a popular initiative that will allow to do this,"
he said.
Kulov warned that under new conditions stability in the country
depends from the prime minister, but if "he/she is steeped in rows, the
government will not remain for long."
According to the republic's central election commission, only five of
the 29 political parties passed a five percent hurdle. On this list are
Ata-Zhurt that will get 28 seats in the new parliament, the
Social-Democratic Party with 26 seats and Ar Namys with 25 seats.
Respublika and Ata-Meken will get 23 and 18 seats respectively.
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