Referendum in Kyrgyzstan

Yesterday the Provisional Government as promised held the constituational referendum. According to early statistics provided by international observers, 69% of those eligible to vote voted. The referendum passed with 91% of the vote in favor of the provisions.

There were three questions on the ballot: 1.) Should Roza Otunbayeva remain President until 2011? 2.) Should Kyrgyzstan adopt a Parliamentary style of government?  and 3.) would approve the new Constitution.  International and independent observers including the UN, the OSCE and Russian observers said that the referendum was peaceful and free and fair.

However, the opposition does not see it that way. The leader of the Communist Party says the results of the referendum were falsified. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev criticized the government by stating that he does not believe that Kyrgyzstan will succeed with a Parliamentary government. I kinda agree with him. Kyrgyz communities and all of the Central Asia for that matter have a clan structure. Authoritarianism is a residual effect left over from Soviet Times. The Soviet-lifestyle has yet to die out and it is the only way of life some people know.

I think it is great that the Central Asia nations are beginning to develop a new mindset.

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