Final phase of constitutional transformation takes shape in Kazakhstan
The initiatives announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev indicate that Kazakhstan’s constitutional reform is entering its final and most systemic phase, where previously fragmented changes are being consolidated into a coherent model of political governance, reports a Qazinfrom News Agency analytical correspondent.
The emphasis is no longer on selective institutional adjustments, but on formally securing a new configuration of power aimed at stability, continuity, and a clearer distribution of responsibility between branches of government.
Speaking at the 5th session of the Ulttyq Qurultay (National Assembly) on January 20, 2026, the President proposed the establishment of the post of vice president with constitutional status. This initiative is presented as a logical completion of the political architecture that has been gradually constructed over recent years, designed to enhance manageability and institutional resilience.
A central element of the reform agenda concerns the transformation of the parliamentary system. The proposed shift to a unicameral parliament named “Qurultay”, elected through a proportional representation system, reflects an effort to simplify the structure of representative power while strengthening its political role.
The abolition of presidential and Assembly of the People quotas, combined with the retention of social representation quotas, as well as the expansion of parliamentary oversight powers in judicial and senior state appointments, signals a recalibration of institutional checks within the system.
This approach suggests an attempt to enhance the role of representative institutions while reducing structural complexity and bureaucratic inertia. The rejection of a bicameral model and the optimization of parliamentary procedures are framed as measures to increase legislative efficiency and political accountability.
Beyond institutional reform, the President’s address also placed strong emphasis on value-based issues, including responsible patriotism, protection of cultural traditions, the institution of marriage, civil rights, and the proper use of state symbols, underscoring their role in strengthening national identity amid ongoing political transformation.
Overall, the proposed initiatives appear to reflect a deliberate effort to institutionalize the results of Kazakhstan’s political transformation and to establish a more stable governance framework.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed naming the new unicameral parliament “Qurultay” and outlined the key parameters of its institutional structure.
