Тезисы и цитаты

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev may still have four years left as president of Kazakhstan, but discussions about a possible power transfer have already begun in earnest. The trigger was Tokayev’s proposal to abolish Kazakhstan’s upper chamber of parliament (the Senate) and strengthen the lower chamber (the Mazhilis).

In his annual state-of-the-nation address on September 8, 2025, Tokayev proposed a unicameral parliamentary system that would be put to a referendum in 2027.

He said the aim was to strengthen the legislative branch and move away from a hyper-presidential system.

Nevertheless, Tokayev now argues that the upper chamber is no longer needed. He says that in the years after Kazakhstan’s declaration of independence in 1991—when the Senate was made up of representatives from Kazakh regions—it had helped maintain a balance between different parts of the country and solidify loyalty to the center. However, he asserts that now Kazakhstan is stable, and the interests of different regions are adequately represented in the Mazhilis.

Some officials have characterized increasing the powers of the Mazhilis as a step toward democratization. This is unlikely, though, to be the reason for Tokayev’s proposal. The system Tokayev wants to create is one in which Mazhilis deputies are only elected via party lists. But all of Kazakhstan’s political parties are controlled by the authorities, and an end to single-mandate districts and more independent candidates will only strengthen the executive branch’s hold.

In reality, the Mazhilis will only become more powerful if Tokayev takes up the role of speaker when his presidential term ends. This is exactly how many in Kazakhstan interpreted the unicameral reform proposal.

After all, Tokayev’s own amendments to the constitution stipulate he must step down in 2029 at the end of his seven-year term.

Of course, if Tokayev wants to remain in charge after 2029, he could simply change the constitution and scrap the presidential term limit.

Можно с уверенностью сказать, что прошедшая сессия выдалась плодотворной. Было принято много необходимых стране законов, всесторонне обсуждались волнующие граждан вопросы.

В целом, депутаты Парламента играют важную роль в реализации кардинальных реформ в нашей стране.

благодаря осуществляемым в последние годы масштабным преобразованиям наша политическая система стала более прогрессивной и открытой.

The 'New Kazakhstan' technically began with amendments to the constitution through a nationwide referendum in June 2022. Under Tokayev, the fundamental law was revised to shift toward a presidential system with a stronger parliament.

The amendments also annulled a law granting Nazarbayev immunity from prosecution and protection of his property.

The minimal timeframe for the presidential elections effectively excluded serious candidates from participating. Tokayev announced the elections on September 1, 2022, and voting took place two-and-a-half months later.

Many international observers characterized the event as 'elections without a choice.'

The OSCE reported violations in the parliamentary polls.