By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The ruling coalition in the Kyrgyz parliament has collapsed, head of the parliamentary majority Kanatbek Isayev told reporters Wednesday.

“The government therefore automatically resigns; until the formation of the new Cabinet, all the officials will continue to perform their functions in the capacity of acting ministers, including the prime minister,” Isayev said.

The Ata Meken parliamentary faction withdrew from the coalition earlier on Wednesday. Sixteen of 18 Socialist faction members voted for the move.

“On Tuesday, the Ar-Namys faction announced its intention to quit the alliance, too; therefore, the coalition consisting of the SDPK, Respublika, Ata Meken and Ar-Namys is as good as broken up,” the local mass media reported.

On Tuesday, leader of the Ar-Namys /Dignity/ Party Felix Kulov announced plans to quit the coalition, because “Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov has not been fulfilling the terms of the coalition agreement.”

“The premier relieved of his duties a minister, who is our Party member, without explaining the reasons,” Kulov said.

Under Kyrgyzstan’s legislation, if Ar-Namys and Ata Meken leave the coalition, it automatically ceases to exist. In this event, the representatives of the parties in parliament have to set up a new alliance to appoint the prime minister and Cabinet officials.