Kazakhstan's Constitutional Reform Committee Launches Proposed Reform Work

On January 24, 2026, the Constitutional Reform Committee held its first meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, formally launching substantive work on the proposed amendments. This meeting marks a new stage in the modernization of Kazakhstan's political system.

The committee is chaired by Elvira Azimova, President of the Constitutional Court, and its members include senior officials, members of parliament, and representatives of civil society. This meeting was convened after President Tokayev delivered his State of the Nation Address on September 8, 2025, outlining a new political reform agenda, and following months of public discussion.

01 Background and Process of Reform

Constitutional reform in Kazakhstan did not begin today. On January 25, 2017, then-President Nazarbayev proposed constitutional reform aimed at redistributing power among the president, government, and parliament.

Nazarbayev emphasized at the time: “After the reforms, the president will play the role of the ultimate arbiter between parliament and the government. The national leader will be responsible for foreign affairs, national security, and defense, while the government and parliament will gain important positions in the power redistribution process.”

In 2022, Kazakhstan underwent another major constitutional amendment, which President Tokayev defined as the beginning of a “second republic.” He stated at the time: “In effect, this means Kazakhstan is formally transitioning to a new model of power structure formation and the introduction of a new political culture.”

The 2022 constitutional amendments weakened presidential power, removed the phrase describing the first president, Nazarbayev, as a “leader of the nation,” and repealed the Law on the First President.

Prior to this reform committee meeting, extensive consultations had been conducted for six months. According to State Advisor Erlan Kalin, seven political parties and 16 public organizations submitted proposals. The working group has held six meetings to discuss key issues such as parliamentary structure, term length, and the number of members of parliament.

02 Core Reform Proposals

The transition to a unicameral parliament is one of the most notable proposals in this reform. The new parliament will be named "Kurultai"—a historical name derived from the traditional deliberative assembly of the Turkic steppes. According to the proposal, "Kurultai" will consist of 145 members elected through a fully proportional representation system for a five-year term.

President Tokayev clearly stated: "The new parliament should not rely on anyone's 'guardianship' or 'supervision.' There should be no 'designated' special groups of members; all must be elected fairly according to unified rules." Therefore, the new unicameral parliament will abolish presidential quotas and quotas for the National Harmony Congress of Kazakhstan.

The reform plan also proposes the establishment of a vice-presidential position. The vice-president will be appointed by the president and require the consent of the Kurultai; the president also has the power to dismiss the vice-president. This position will replace the current role of state advisor, and the vice-president will represent the president in international affairs and be responsible for liaison with parliament, the government, and other state organs.

Another important proposal is the creation of a "People's Council" as a high-level advisory body, granted the power to initiate legislation—that is, the power to formally submit draft laws to parliament for consideration. The People's Council is not a permanent body, meeting at least once a year. Its structure and operating procedures will be governed by a separate constitutional law.

03 Institutional Balance and Human Rights Protection

Besides institutional restructuring, reform discussions also involve governance mechanisms and the protection of fundamental rights. Azimova pointed out that over 2,000 proposals from citizens have been received, leading to the establishment of an expanded Constitutional Council for comprehensive legal review.

The 2022 constitutional amendments already addressed many human rights protections, such as banning the death penalty, establishing a human rights ombudsman, and constitutionally affirming his protection and immunity. This reform is likely to further strengthen the mechanism for protecting citizens' constitutional rights.

President Tokayev emphasized: "The mechanism for protecting citizens' constitutional rights and freedoms will be significantly strengthened. I believe this will increase officials' accountability for the quality of their actions." This emphasis on human rights protection reflects the consistent direction of political reform in Kazakhstan.

04 Historical Context and Political Transition

Kazakhstan's political reforms have a profound historical context. The Nazarbayev era established a strong presidential political model, and the 2017 constitutional amendment maintained that "the country will remain a presidential system."

The 2022 constitutional amendment marked a significant shift, with President Tokayev announcing that Kazakhstan would transition from a "super-presidential government" to a "presidential republic with a strong parliament."

The naming of "Kurultai" in this reform proposal also carries profound historical and cultural significance. President Tokayev stated, "The name 'Kurultai' is both familiar and endearing to our people. As early as 2022, I proposed the initiative to revive the Kurultai Conference. In the national political system, 'Kurultai' must be preserved as an important symbol representing the highest state institution."

From the checks and balances of power in 2017, to the "second republic" of 2022, and now to the proposed unicameral parliament, Kazakhstan's political transformation presents a clear evolutionary path.

05 Constitutional Reform in a Global Perspective

Kazakhstan's constitutional reform holds unique significance within a global context. As a key country in Central Asia, Kazakhstan's political transition may influence the political development model of the entire region.

President Tokayev's promotion of the principle of political neutrality—his resignation as leader of the ruling party and withdrawal from the party in 2022, declaring his intention to maintain "political neutrality"—demonstrates a new model in the relationship between the head of state and political parties.

State Advisor Kalin stated that the 2022 constitutional reforms aimed to achieve a "systemic transformation of the existing political model," encompassing five aspects: a redistribution of a range of powers; a transition from a super-presidential system to a presidential republic; strengthening the role and status of parliament; broader public participation in state governance; and strengthening mechanisms to guarantee citizens' constitutional rights.

These reform directions align with global trends of checks and balances and public participation. Kazakhstan's reform attempts provide a noteworthy case study for political transition in the post-Soviet space.

The Constitutional Reform Committee of Kazakhstan has fully commenced its work and is conducting a detailed review of the proposed amendments. Elvira Azimova pointed out: "Kazakhstan is entering a new stage of political modernization. The head of state has clearly stated that without strengthening institutional balance, improving the effectiveness of legislative power, perfecting the system of checks and balances, and updating the constitutional mechanisms for public participation in governance, further national development is out of the question."

The final decision on constitutional reform will be made by the citizens of Kazakhstan through a national referendum. This method of deciding constitutional reform through a referendum reflects President Tokayev's emphasis on "broader public participation in national governance."

From Nazarbayev to Tokayev, from a super-presidential system to a nascent system of checks and balances, Kazakhstan's constitutional reform demonstrates a nation's efforts to explore a development path suitable for itself while maintaining political stability.