29 May 2015 09:47

Nazarbayev favors bigger say for Kazakh govt and parliament

BURABAI VILLAGE, Kazakhstan. May 29 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev believes it would be advisable to broaden the powers of his country's parliament and government.

"Obviously, the government and parliament should be given a bigger say," Nazarbayev said at a meeting with prime ministers from CIS member countries in Kazakhstan on Friday.

"We have strong presidential power. As you know, there is a serious vertical. But as our middle class grows, it [presidential powers] should probably be reduced, the government should be given an opportunity to work independently, and parliament ought to receive broader powers," the Kazakh leader said.