The Constitution of Kyrgyzstan was the supreme law of the Kyrgyz Republic. The constitution in force from 2010 until 2021 was passed by referendum on June 27, 2010, replacing the previous constitution. It introduced a strong parliament to the country, reducing the power of the historically strong president. The constitution is similar in many ways to the previous one. This constitution was replaced by the current Constitution of Kyrgyzstan in April 2021. Passage The referendum passed with 90% of the votes and 70% voter turnout, despite 400,000 people, mostly ethnic Uzbeks, having fled ethnic violence in the south of the country who had still not returned. This replaced the older constitution. The constitution replaced the old immediately upon publication of the voting results, although according to the document, limited sections do not come into force until later. Despite fears of illegitimacy due to the recent violence, there were no major reports of violence or fraud during the election. International monitor organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe approved of the vote. Prior to voting day the government dropped leaflets over Bishkek, urging citizens to remain peaceful and keep the future of their country in mind. Support for the constitution was strong throughout the country and among all major ethnic groups, despite a relatively low voter turnout in the south of the country and some fears that a parliamentary system would be weaker than a single strong president. Prior to the drafting of the document, input was received from the Venice Commission, who later said they were pleased with the result. President Dmitriy Medvedev of Russia stated concerns that it would lead to instability and volatility, giving rise to extremism. Impact The constitution legislated a shift in the country's politics away from a presidential system and toward a parliamentary system, reducing the power of the president. The last two presidents of Kyrgyzstan under the old system, Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev, were ousted in revolutions. Under the new constitution, the president serves a single six-year term and cannot be re-elected. Although the president is weaker in the new system than previously, the presidency is not a figurehead position as in many parliamentary systems. The president has veto power and the ability to appoint heads of state bodies. The constitution limits any single political party to 65 of the parliament's 120 seats as an unusual way to limit