Kazakhstan moves from super-presidential to presidential-parliamentary system

Kazakhstan is undertaking a significant political reform to shift away from a "super-presidential" system, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced on Tuesday. During an extended government meeting in Astana, Tokayev outlined a move toward a presidential republic anchored by an influential parliament, marking a continuation of reforms initiated in recent years.

Redefining the Balance of Power

Tokayev stated that the proposed constitutional amendments are designed to create "a new system of state governance" based on the principle of "a strong president, an influential parliament, and an accountable government." He emphasized that the changes aim to strengthen checks and balances, redistribute authority among branches of government, and enhance the stability and effectiveness of all political institutions.

Continuity in Political Transformation

The president framed the latest draft as a logical step in Kazakhstan’s political evolution, building on the constitutional reform of 2022. According to Tokayev, the amendments further concretize the governing principle that “not the individual for the state, but the state for the individual,” a direction he says the country has pursued consistently since 2019.