KAZAKHSTANI WAY: Presidency was unique in ex-Soviet space - Day of the First President

- Mr. Aitkhozhin, when has began the history of presidency in our country?

- The presidency of Kazakhstan was established on April 24 by the law passed by the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR. On the same day Nursultan Nazarbayev for the first time in the history of our country was elected as the President of Kazakhstan.

Thus, on December 1, 1991 for the first time ever Kazakhstan carried out nation-wide presidential elections. As a result of the elections 98.7% of voters cast their ballots for President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

- Did Kazakhstan become the first country among former Soviet Union states with the President?

- That's right, the presidency introduced in our country was unique. Further developments in our country showed that we could not develop by the Soviet way. Supreme Council and development of the legislative process showed that that structure no longer met the requirements of the transitional period. Legislation was behind economic and political developments in the country.

There was self-dissolution of the Supreme Soviet of the 12th convocation. Then, in March 1995, the country's political crisis occurred when the decision of the Constitutional Court recognized the Supreme Soviet 13th convocation election as illegitimate. Thus, the country had been without a parliament for over six months.

- The period became reference point for radical reforms, didn't it?

- Naturally, in that circumstances it was necessary to take drastic measures. And Nursultan Nazarbayev extended the President's powers until December 2000. On April 29, 1995 people supported the extension of powers in the referendum.

During several months there was created unique institution named as the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan . Assembly of People of Kazakhstan has played a large role in the two referendums including on the adoption of the Constitution on August 30, 1995.

- Did the country need strong presidential power?

- No doubt, because we had already seen in the case of many countries that there cannot be an abrupt transition from totalitarian to democratic system of government. There is always a certain amount of time between these two forms of government. We see that Kyrgyzstan once again proposes measures to amend the Constitution to establish a strong institution of the president. Moldova has similar problems. A few years ago Kazakhstan was visited by the Chairman of the Constitutional Council of France. And he, speaking before the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, said: "I would like you to keep a strong institution of the President. Because the introduction of semi-presidential republic, for example, in France, creates a certain amount of frictions between the PM and the President".

Influential Russian experts also repeatedly advocated the preservation of Russia's strong presidential form of government.

- Do you think that the institution of the presidency of Kazakhstan has proved itself?

- Of course! All these years we have seen the stability of state institutions. Our economy is developing steadily. In my opinion, the country experienced normal consequences of the global economic crisis. We have worked out many important programs including forced industrial-innovative development program for the country. A lot of work is being carried out on the development of human capital.

- Thank you for the interview!