On February 17, a phone conversation took place between the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and the head of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during which constitutional reforms were discussed. Tokayev shared details about the reform aimed at the long-term development of Kazakhstan, and Japarov expressed support for these changes.
The publication Kaktus.media covers the main points of the constitutional reform in Kazakhstan.
Current Changes
In his annual address on September 8, 2025, Tokayev announced plans to transition to a unicameral parliament and to amend the political system.The decree to establish a working group on parliamentary reform was signed on October 8, 2025, and included experts, lawyers, as well as representatives of political parties and public organizations. Proposals from citizens were also collected.
At the V session of the National Kurultai in January 2026, Tokayev summarized the results of the group's work.
On January 21, a constitutional commission was formed.
Thus, on February 12, the text of the new Constitution was made public.
The referendum is scheduled for March 15.
Content of the Amendments
The proposed changes concern not just amendments, but a new Fundamental Law that affects more than 80% of the current Constitution.According to information on the website of the Constitutional Council, the new Constitution "reflects the maturity of Kazakhstan's statehood, the international authority of the country, and the aspiration for progressive development." The preamble now includes the characterization "united" for the people of Kazakhstan, enshrines the concept of "Fair Kazakhstan," and commits to upholding human rights, while maintaining continuity with the "millennia-old history of the Great Steppe."
The main changes include:
- The structure of the parliament will change: the bicameral parliament (Mazhilis and Senate) will be replaced by a unicameral body - Kurultai. It will consist of 145 deputies with expanded powers and will be formed according to a proportional electoral system, with a term of office of 5 years.
- Redistribution of powers, establishing a balance between the president, parliament, and government to achieve a "sustainable institutional model."
- Limiting presidential terms: the president can be elected for only one seven-year term.
- Establishment of the post of vice president, who will be appointed by the president with the consent of the new parliament (Kurultai).
- Changes in the status of the Russian language: instead of "on an equal basis" with Kazakh, the wording will be "alongside" Kazakh, which has sparked public discussions; however, the status of the Russian language as widely used will not remain unchanged.
- Establishment of the supremacy of the Constitution over international treaties. The new text will stipulate that the Constitution will have the highest legal force, even in relation to international agreements.
- Creation of new institutional mechanisms, including discussions on the formation of the People's Council / Халық кеңесі with legislative initiative rights and other advisory bodies.
- Introduction of an article stating that marriage is a voluntary and equal union of a man and a woman.
Presidential Power
The president will remain the head of state with significant powers and a term of 7 years (one term).The draft Constitution proclaims the model: "Strong president - influential parliament - accountable government," where the president retains a leading role in the power system.
In official statements, the authorities emphasize that the new Constitution changes the "super-presidential" system to a more balanced presidential republic with an active parliament; however, many experts believe that the powers of the president may remain broad or even be strengthened.
Reasons for Changes in the Constitution
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is confident that the new Constitution will give a powerful impetus to the development of Kazakhstan.He noted that "the provisions laid down in the draft of the new Constitution enshrine the consistency and logic of the development of Kazakhstan's political system based on the concept of 'Strong president - influential parliament - accountable government.' Kazakhstan is definitively abandoning the super-presidential form of governance and transitioning to a presidential republic with an authoritative parliament."
However, the process has faced criticism from human rights defenders. For example, Human Rights Watch warns of potential risks to freedom of speech, association, and assembly due to unclear wording in the draft. There are concerns that some provisions may be used to restrict the activities of public organizations.
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History of Changes to the Constitution of Kazakhstan
The Constitution of Kazakhstan has been amended twice since gaining independence: in 1993 and 1995. The second version of the Constitution has been changed six times: in 1998, 2007, 2011, 2017, 2019, and 2022. The latest amendments, consisting of 56 changes, were made after the January protests. Among them are the establishment of a seven-year term for the president, a ban on participation in political parties, and restrictions for close relatives of the head of state from holding public office, as well as the removal of the article on the status of Nazarbayev as the leader of the nation.When Will the New Constitution Come into Force
If approved, the new Constitution will come into force on July 1, 2026, after which the current parliament will be dissolved to transition to the new political order.
