Russia expects that the results of the referendum on constitutional amendments in Kyrgyzstan will help the country to develop steadily, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.
"International observers note that the vote was open, free and legitimate," she said. - "We expect that the results of the will of the Kyrgyz people will contribute to ensuring internal stability, the republic's development under the rule of law and the progressive growth of its economy".
Speaking about the appeal of the European Union to the Kyrgyz authorities to pay attention to the violations registered during the voting, Zakharova emphasized that "there is no point speaking about the objectivity of the EU assessment of electoral processes in the world".
"If their assessment of, for example, electoral processes and the system of elections at different levels in the United States were objective, perhaps it would be worth paying attention to their comments on electoral processes in other countries," the diplomat added. - "[The EU] needs to gain experience and credibility in the field of objectivity. From there, the road to trust in this kind of commentary will start".
About the referendum in Kyrgyzstan
On April 11, there was a referendum on constitutional amendments in Kyrgyzstan, where 3.6 million voters were registered. Just over 37 percent of citizens participated, according to the latest figures, with about 79 percent approving changes to the basic law.
The amendments drawn up by the members of the constitutional caucus provide for a significant increase in the powers of the president, a reduction in the rights of parliament and a reduction in its size from 120 to 90 people. In particular, the head of state will now have full control over the government, including the ability to appoint and dismiss ministers. In fact, Kyrgyzstan is transitioning from a presidential-parliamentary form of government to a presidential model.
Simultaneously with the referendum, elections were held in Kyrgyzstan for 420 municipal and rural councils.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS