Kyrgyz parliament rejects president's choice for PM

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2007

BISHKEK (AFP) — Kyrgyzstan's parliament has rejected President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's choice of prime minister for a second time, deepening a political crisis in the strategically located Central Asian state.

Just 25 of the 75 deputies backed former prime minister Felix Kulov's bid for reappointment, well short of the 38 required. Under the constitution, a third rejection would mean automatic dissolution of parliament and new legislative elections.

The latest twist in Kyrgyzstan's political battle sets the stage for a showdown between Bakiyev and parliament and scotches hopes that the ex-Soviet republic of 5.2 million people will soon overcome the instability that has reigned since a revolution in 2005.

The impoverished, mountainous country sandwiched between...