[JURIST] The president of Kyrgyzstan [JURIST news archive] said Monday that the government will begin steps to amend the Kyrgyz constitution. At a meeting with government officials, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev [BBC profile] announced the formation of a working group for amendment drafting, and indicated that members of different political parties and officials from throughout the government will be included in the drafting process. Bakiyev's call for constitutional reform comes after his opposition demanded that changes be made.

In January, Bakiyev approved initial constitutional amendments [JURIST report] that would return key powers to the presidency, including the right to appoint cabinet members. Those amendments seemed to contradict a compromise [JURIST report] reached in November that led to the adoption of a new constitution [JURIST report] restricting presidential authority. Itar-Tass has more.