President Nazarbayev delivered a speech at the opening of the Parliament’s session, calling on speedy adoption of the Tax, Customs and Budget codes. He also urged to adopt certain amendments in the election legislation to “further democratize” the political system, within the framework of the upcoming presidency in the OSCE.

At the same time, he ruled out the possibility of an early parliamentary election. Although, the presidential aide Yesrtysbayev said earlier that early elections may be conducted next year to let in some opposition. The “Azat” party chairman, Bulat Abilov, then commented that the authorities are not interested in new elections, especially against the background of deteriorated socio-economic situation. Accrding to the president,

“There are no legal or political reasons for early elections. The elections will take place acording to the constitution, in 2012.”

Among the planned amendments in the election law stands lowering of the entrymargin and legislative guarantees for obligatory more-than-one-party parliament formation. By the way, there is a popular belief that when the president rules out the possibility of early elections, they do take place quite soon. The time will show whether this legend is true or not.