The Kyrgyz parliament voted on President Bakiyev’s picks for cabinet positions. But it looks like more than a few people were surprised when it decided to reject a nice handful of them, including acting foreign minister Roza Otunbaeva.

27 September 2005 (RFE/RL) — Kyrgyzstan’s parliament today debated President Kurmanbek Bakiev’s cabinet nominations, approving some but rejecting others.

The most notable rejection was Roza Otunbaeva to be foreign minister. Otunbaeva served in that post for a time in the 1990s when Askar Akaev was president.

Five other nominees were rejected, among them Ishenbai Kadyrbekov, nominated to be minister of transportation and communications.

Prime Minister Feliks Kulov said he was surprised by the outcome, but told reporters that new candidates for vacant posts will be nominated shortly.

Ten nominees were confirmed by parliament.

As much as I enjoy reading Roza’s rhetoric, I can’t say that I’m surprised to see the parliament reject some of the proposed ministers. I don’t think it’s because they particularly dislike Roza, though she did serve under Akayev, but I think they’re trying to assert their independence from the executive branch.

This comes amid talks over proposed changes to the constitution. One of those changes will be giving the power of cabinet appointments to the parliament instead of the president. It looks like they’re ready to assert that desire. The surprise shown by Feliks Kulov can be summed up in that he opposes that specific change to the constitution. However, a more powerful parliament is necessary for the development of democracy in Kyrgyzstan, as certain presidential systems have shown to be disastrous thusfar.