Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Zainidin Kurmanov shares his opinion on how the amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan change the balance of power and strengthen the system of checks and balances.
The referendum held in Kazakhstan regarding changes to the Constitution was a significant event, opening a new chapter in the country's political system. Experts are actively discussing what institutional and political changes these reforms will bring. The voting marked an important step in updating the constitutional structure and revising the powers of key state bodies.
Professor Kurmanov emphasizes that the new governance concept in Kazakhstan represents a step away from personalized rule and a transformation from a "super-presidential" republic to a presidential one with a stronger parliament. The goal is to create a balanced power system where powers are distributed among various state institutions.
A key element of the reforms is the deconcentration of presidential powers. This implies a voluntary limitation of the head of state's influence to avoid excessive concentration. The new provisions of the Constitution establish a single seven-year term for the president without the possibility of re-election.
Moreover, there is a distancing of the presidency from political parties. According to the new rules, while performing presidential duties, the president cannot be a member of political parties. There is also a ban on close relatives of the president holding leadership positions in state and quasi-state structures.
The reform also involves strengthening the role of the parliament and maslikhats. According to Kurmanov, the new model aims to create a more effective system of checks and balances through the strengthening of legislative power. The introduction of a mixed electoral system will allow independent candidates and activists to participate in the political life of the country. The procedure for registering political parties will be simplified, and the threshold for their creation will be lowered, which should promote political competition and party diversity.
Another important direction of the reforms is the protection of human rights. The updated Constitution emphasizes guarantees of citizens' rights and expands mechanisms for their protection. In particular, the Constitutional Court is being revived in Kazakhstan, where citizens will be able to file complaints about the inconsistency of laws and regulations with the Constitution. Additionally, the status of the ombudsman will be enshrined, which will enhance its independence from the executive branch, and the death penalty will be completely abolished.
Another significant part of the reforms is the reduction of centralized governance. This includes expanding local self-government and increasing the role of regional authorities. Specifically, direct elections of akims for districts and cities of regional significance are being introduced, which, according to the expert, will increase the accountability of local authorities to citizens.
In conclusion, the updated Constitution enshrines the principle that land and its subsoil resources belong to the people, and the state manages these resources on behalf of the people.
Thus, the expert concludes, the constitutional changes lay the foundation for a new political model of Kazakhstan, and the practical implementation of these changes becomes a key issue for the future.
