In his speech, Tokayev emphasized the key proposals of the working group engaged in parliamentary reform and suggested a new name — "Kurultai." The President noted that both the historical context and the meaning of this term are close and understandable to the people of Kazakhstan.
According to Tokayev's proposal, the number of parliamentary mandates should be 145, and the term of office for the new composition should be 5 years. Elections for deputies are expected to be held using a proportional system, while local maslikhats will retain a majoritarian election procedure.
The head of state clarified that the new parliament may have three chairpersons and no more than eight committees.
Additionally, Tokayev proposed to abolish the presidential quota as well as the quota of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, while maintaining quotas for women, youth, and people with disabilities.
The president also suggested empowering the new unicameral parliament with extended powers in the area of personnel appointments. "According to the current Constitution, the powers to form the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Audit Chamber, and the Central Election Commission are distributed among the Mazhilis, the Senate, and the president. We propose that the appointment of members of these key state bodies be carried out exclusively with the consent of the parliament. Furthermore, deputies of the highest representative body will be able to elect judges of the Supreme Court upon the president's recommendation," added Tokayev.
Earlier, in his Address to the People of Kazakhstan, the president expressed the idea of the necessity of creating a unicameral parliament in the "near future" and proposed putting this issue to a referendum. A special working group led by State Advisor Erlan Karin was established to develop proposals for reforms.
