BISHKEK, February 3 (RIA Novosti) - President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev on Friday accused the republic's legislature of seeking a confrontation with the executive branch of government.
"Some of the deputies, backed by the speaker, have [deliberately] embarked on a collision course with the incumbent government and the president," Bakiyev said in an address to parliament. He said the legislature had turned into a "scene for political bickering, creating instability in the country" and that it would use any event "as an excuse for political hysteria."
Bakiyev, who came to power last spring on the back of peaceful protests that ousted the Central Asian republic's incumbent leader, Askar Akayev, rounded on the MPs for trying to use their status for settling scores with rivals, and said their lives were not in danger despite claims to the contrary.
The president also criticized the lawmakers for obstructing some crucial bills, including a privatization package and a draft budget, and for wasting time discussing issues unrelated to their work. He added that 17 parliamentary sessions last fall had been invalid because the necessary quorum had not been convened.
Parliament "tries time and again to position itself as a head of state. Some of the deputies behave like prime ministers. What do we need 75 prime ministers for? Neither the people nor the constitution require any such thing from you," Bakiyev said.
