Kyrgyzstan has voted overwhelmingly in favour of constitutional changes boosting the power of the prime minister.<br /><br /> Opponents say the move is aimed at getting President Almazbek Atambayev into the post when his term ends.<br /><br /> The Central Asian nation’s constitution bars him from running for a second term when his mandate ends in 2017.<br /><br /> The amendments allow the prime minister to appoint and dismiss Cabinet ministers and regional governors without consulting the president. The prime minister will also have a decisive say in shaping the government budget.<br /><br /> Atambayev’s supporters cast the amendments as part of efforts to increase the power of parliament and strengthen checks and balances between branches of government.<br /><br /> The amendments also envisage a ban on same-sex marriages.<br /><br /> Around 80% of a 42% turnout supported the package.<br /><br /> Kyrgyzstan, an impoverished and mostly Muslim nation, has been volatile in recent years and was the scene of violent protests in 2005 and 2010 which toppled successive presidents.<br />
