Tokayev says presidency will retain its authority

The introduction of the vice president post in Kazakhstan, as well as reforms related to the transition to a unicameral parliament that are planned to be enshrined in the Constitution, will not weaken the role of the president, who will remain the central force in the system of state power. This was stated by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

“I must say that these constitutional changes do not mean a weakening of the institution of presidential power. On the contrary, the presidency remains the key institution within the state system. I am confident that Kazakhstan will continue to develop successfully as a presidential republic, and this proven political system should not be abandoned,” Tokayev said while addressing the National Qurultoy.

He noted that international experience indicates the reforms he has proposed will give a strong impetus to Kazakhstan’s development.

It should be recalled that on January 20, during his speech at the fifth session of the National Qurultoy held in Kyzylorda, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about the introduction of a new post — vice president of the republic — and the possible renaming of Kazakhstan’s parliament to the Qurultoy.

According to the proposal, the vice president, acting on the president’s instructions, will represent Kazakhstan’s interests in negotiations at international forums and with foreign delegations, present the president’s interests in parliament, cooperate with domestic and foreign socio-political, scientific, and cultural-educational organizations, and carry out other assignments of the head of state.

The number of mandates in the new parliament, the Qurultoy, could be reduced to 145, with deputies elected under a single, unified system. Currently, there are 148 deputies. It was also noted that the parliament may consist of eight committees. In addition, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed appointing members of key state bodies through parliament.