Elections called
April 22, 2010
Since the uprising that ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the European Union and the United States have been among the voices urging the interim government in Kyrgyzstan to hold an election.
In a televised statement, the interim deputy prime minister, Omurbek Tekebayev, said joint parliamentary and presidential elections could take place on October 10.
Tekebayev, who is also responsible for constitutional reform, said that before the election could take place, a referendum on a new constitution would have to be held.
He said the new constitution would reduce the powers of the president and make Kyrgyzstan a parliamentary republic with strong checks and balances between the branches of government.
"In the new draft, the state and political system will be set up to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one," Tekebayev said.
"The president will lose his immunity and his family will not be subsidized by the state. The head of state will live on his own salary," he added.
The referendum is scheduled for June 27.
Uphill struggle for democracy
However, diplomats familiar with the country said that they expected Kyrgyzstan to struggle to establish a democratic system, after a history of authoritarian leaders.
The interim government has struggled to restore order after the April 7 uprising which ousted Bakiyev and left at least 85 people dead.
Bakiyev has sought refuge in Belarus, but still claims to be the legitimate president. Kyrgyzstan's interim government says he has resigned, but it has not appointed a replacement.
cb/Reuters/AFP
Editor: Chuck Penfold