1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Kyrgyz Voters Approve Strong Presidential System in Constitutional Referendum April 21, 2021 On April 11, 2021, voters in the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan) approved a new constitution that returns the country to a system of
2、 strong presidential rule after 10 years as Central Asias only parliamentary republic. According to preliminary data, 79% voted in favor; turnout was 37%, meeting the 30% threshold for the referendum to be considered valid. While a strong presidency may appeal to Kyrgyz voters frustrated with the ex
3、isting parliamentary system, international observers and Kyrgyz civil society activists warn that the new constitution may threaten Kyrgyzstans democracy and move the country in a more authoritarian direction. Human Rights Watch criticized the document as “undermining human rights norms and weakenin
4、g checks and balances necessary to prevent abuses of power.” Background Kyrgyzstan has long been considered the most democratic country in Central Asia, with a vibrant civil society and a higher degree of press freedom than found elsewhere in the region. Members of Congress and other U.S. policymake
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