Venice Commission backs President Nazarbayev's decision to cancel referendum

BRUSSELS-STRASBOURG. February 5. KAZINFORM /Dimash Syzdykov/ President of the Council of Europe's Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio backs the Kazakh President's decision not to pursue the referendum of extension of the president's powers. He expressed his support during the meeting with Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Head of the Mission to the EU and NATO Yerik Utembayev.

"I am happy to say that your President Nursultan Nazarbayev took the right decision by forwarding the issue on holding the referendum to the Constitutional Council, which, in turn, made the decision in full compliance with international constitutional standards in regard to elections. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Venice Commission I would like to express our satisfaction with the decision by President Nazarbayev", G. Buquicchio said.

The European Commission for Democracy through Law, better known as the Venice Commission, is the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional matters. Established in 1990, the commission has played a leading role in the adoption of constitutions that conform to the standards of Europe's constitutional heritage.