Kazakhstan to Revise 84% of Constitution

At a Constitutional Committee meeting in Astana, Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Bakot Nurmukhanov, submitted a comprehensive draft of constitutional amendments to the Constitutional Reform Committee.

According to published data, the amendments will cover 77 of the 104 articles, meaning the vast majority will be rewritten or adjusted. The revised constitution will consist of 11 chapters and 104 articles, including two new chapters on "People's Parliament" and "Amendments and Supplements to the Constitution," and the names of four existing chapters will be changed.

01 Basic Context and Historical Background of Constitutional Amendments

This constitutional amendment in Kazakhstan is unprecedented in scale. The comprehensive draft submitted by Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Bakot Nurmukhanov, to the Constitutional Reform Committee shows that the revised constitution will consist of 11 chapters and 104 articles, not only adjusting a large number of existing clauses but also adding two new chapters.

The draft amendments explicitly emphasize the pursuit of checks and balances, stipulating that "the Republic of Kazakhstan is a democratic, secular, rule-of-law, and socialized state, whose highest values ​​are 'people, human life, rights, and freedoms'."

This constitutional amendment is not an isolated event, but the latest step in the evolution of the Kazakhstani constitution. In 1995, Kazakhstan adopted its current constitution through a national referendum, establishing a strong presidential system. Since then, the country has amended its constitution multiple times in 1998, 2007, 2011, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

The 2017 amendment was particularly crucial, when Nazarbayev relinquished over 40 presidential powers to the government and parliament, breaking the "super-presidential" political structure for the first time.

02 From Super-Presidential System to Institutional Restructuring of Checks and Balances

The core of the reform of Kazakhstan's political system lies in breaking down the long-standing "super-presidential system." The 1995 Constitution established the president's supreme power, creating a power structure of "a powerful president, a small parliament, and a weak government."

The 2017 reforms initiated a process of power redistribution. At the time, Nazarbayev pointed out: "After the reforms, the president will play the role of the ultimate arbiter between the 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."

The 2022 constitutional referendum further advanced this process. Before the referendum, Tokayev stated: "This constitutional amendment is not to strengthen presidential privileges and powers, but to promote checks and balances between power institutions and protect the interests, rights, and freedoms of all citizens."

The new constitution systematically revised the chapter on the "President," covering aspects such as the timing of presidential elections and oaths, cooperation mechanisms with Kurultai and the government, personnel powers, and legislative functions.

03 Innovative Design of a Unicameral Parliament and Vice-Presidential System

Regarding the parliamentary system, the new constitution proposed a fundamental change: a transition from a bicameral system to a unicameral system. In January 2026, Tokayev announced that Kazakhstan would establish a unicameral parliament called "Kurultay," composed of 145 members, with a chairperson and up to three vice-chairpersons.

Tokayev emphasized: "The new parliament should not rely on anyone's 'guardianship' or 'oversight.' There should be no 'designated' special groups among members; all must be elected fairly according to uniform rules." This measure aims to eliminate privileged classes in the political system and promote more equitable political participation.

Another innovation is the introduction of a vice-presidential system. According to Tokayev's proposal, the vice-president will be appointed by the president after a simple majority vote in parliament, and the scope of their powers will be determined by the president. This design is a completely new attempt in Kazakhstan's political system, aiming to stabilize the country's governance process.

04 Analysis of the Motivations for Constitutional Reform from a Global Perspective

Kazakhstan's large-scale constitutional amendments are not accidental, but rather a strategic choice to address internal and external challenges. Internally, the "January Events" of 2022 exposed social contradictions such as uneven regional economic development and unequal income distribution, becoming an important driving force for reform.

From an international perspective, Kazakhstan has consistently sought a balance in the great power game. The constitutional principle that "international law supersedes domestic law" reflects the country's desire to integrate into the international community.

Economic factors are also a significant driving force behind reforms. Between 2014 and 2016, Kazakhstan's GDP growth rate declined year by year, from 4.3% in 2014 to 1% in 2016. Economic pressure prompted the leadership to seek to stimulate economic vitality through political reforms.

Furthermore, the challenges of digitalization and globalization necessitate the modernization of the national governance system. The "Digital Kazakhstan" initiative reflects this understanding, while constitutional reform provides the institutional foundation for governance in the digital age.

05 The Impact of Constitutional Amendments on Kazakhstan's Future Direction

This constitutional amendment will have a profound impact on Kazakhstan. In terms of the political system, the establishment of a system of checks and balances may reduce political risks and prevent decision-making errors caused by excessive concentration of power.

It is noteworthy that the new draft constitution explicitly includes the fundamental principle that "A just Kazakhstan is our highest goal, and we will achieve it." This indicates that social justice has become a core objective of national development and a direct response to the demands of the people. In terms of regional governance, the constitutional reforms could enhance Kazakhstan's leadership position in Central Asia. As a country undergoing profound political reforms, Kazakhstan could become a model for regional political modernization.

In international relations, the constitutional reforms may influence Kazakhstan's foreign policy orientation. While Tokayev emphasized the "indivisibility of Eurasian security," a more balanced internal decentralization could allow Kazakhstan to demonstrate greater independence in international affairs.

The Constitutional Committee is currently collaborating with legal experts and linguists to refine the wording of the articles, eliminate ambiguities and legal loopholes. The preamble to the constitution will also be completely rewritten to clarify the country's fundamental goals, basic principles, and core values.

The Kazakh people have high hopes for the reforms. According to a poll conducted by the Socio-Political Research Institute under the Amanat Party of Kazakhstan, 67.9% of Kazakhstan believe that the constitutional reforms will have a positive impact on the country's development.