Kyrgyz Parliament's majority coalition collapses

BISHKEK - The Kyrgyz Parliament's majority coalition collapsed Monday after the withdrawal of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK).

The SDPK decided to withdraw from the majority coalition at a party meeting on Monday and issued a statement on its withdrawal, which was related to policy disputes on constitutional reforms within the coalition.

But the SDPK will announce its withdrawal during the session of the parliament on Wednesday.

In the statement the SDPK thanked some parliament members, who worked for strengthening the coalition.

"The SDPK calls on deputies of the Kyrgyz Parliament to form a more stable coalition, to continue the constructive work to fulfill the country's strategic objectives, and expresses readiness to cooperate with all political forces in parliament, which will also contribute to sustainable social and economic development on the path of democracy and to strengthen the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic," said the statement published on the website of the Kyrgyz Parliament.

The withdrawal of the SDPK will lead to resignation of the cabinet, which will perform their duties until the formation of a new government.

According to the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, a party's withdrawal from the majority coalition will result in cabinet resignation.

Within three days after the resignation, the country's president will authorize one of the parties in parliament to form a new majority coalition.

The SDPK has become the largest party in parliament with 37 out of 120 seats since elected on Oct 4, 2015 and formed a majority coalition with Ata-Meken, Kyrgyzstan Party and Onuguu-Progress Party in November 2015.

Disputes within the coalition started when Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev proposed to change the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic and hold a referendum.

The Kyrgyz leader explained the necessity to change some constitutional articles about threats to sovereignty and national security.

Kyrgyzstan's present constitution was adopted in June 2010 after a referendum.