Kyrgyz parliament rejects leader's PM choice again

BISHKEK, Jan 25 (Reuters) Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted for the second time against reinstating an ally of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev as prime minister today, threatening further deadlock for the Central Asian state.

Bakiyev has been trying to re-appoint ally Felix Kulov as prime minister after he resigned with the government in December during constitutional changes that were originally aimed at weakening the presidency and strengthening parliament.

Although Bakiyev appears to have won in his battle with opposition legislators over the constitution, having signed away far fewer powers than the opposition wanted, he has so far been blocked in attempts to reinstate Kulov.

The impoverished former Soviet republic near Afghanistan houses both Russian and US military airbases but has lurched through a series of political crises since former President Askar Akayev fled violent protests in March 2005.

Parliament voted 38-25 against reinstating Kulov, little changed from the 39-23 vote rejecting him a week ago.

Due to confusion over the country's constitution -- a new charter weakening Bakiyev was adopted in December and then another one handing back most of his powers -- it is not clear how long the deadlock might last.

The constitution appears to allow Bakiyev to dissolve parliament if his candidate for prime minister is rejected three times.

But lawyers working for parliament, Bakiyev's office and an opposition leader have all said that under interim rules Bakiyev can nominate Kulov as many times as he likes.

Reuters PB DB1301