Kazakhstan: Largest country in Central Asia approves new constitution

Kazakhstan: Largest Central Asian Nation Approves New Constitution

On March 15, Kazakhstan’s citizens cast their votes in a landmark referendum, adopting a revised constitution. The Central Electoral Commission verified the outcome, aligning with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s late-night statement. The reform marks a pivotal shift in the nation’s governance structure, as outlined in the preliminary results.

Presidential Powers and Kurultai Role

The new constitution enhances the president’s authority, allowing him to appoint key officials with the backing of the unicameral Kurultai. These include heads of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Audit Chamber, State Security Service, and Human Rights Commissioner. Previously, the Senate had approved such appointments, but the revised framework grants the president broader powers, subject to Kurultai approval. A provision enables the president to dissolve the parliament if the Kurultai rejects his candidate nominations twice, granting him the authority to issue decrees with the force of constitutional law in its absence.

“The citizens of Kazakhstan participated in the referendum and supported the constitutional reform. They cast their vote for the future of our country,” said Tokayev, emphasizing the significance of the decision.

The reform also reinstates the vice president’s position, which was abolished in 1996. The vice president will now represent the nation abroad, attend parliamentary meetings, and engage with cultural and scientific communities. Their specific duties will be defined by the president, ensuring alignment with the reform’s objectives.

Freedom of Expression and Language Reforms

Amendments to the freedom of speech section broaden protections, now covering “scientific, technical, and artistic creativity” alongside traditional guarantees. Political scientist Gaziz Abishev highlighted the implications of a language provision, stating, “Official documents in the Kazakh language will have the highest authenticity. If versions in different languages contradict, the Kazakh version will be considered correct.”

Additionally, the new constitution expands data protection regulations and explicitly separates religion from the state. The definition of marriage is revised to specify a union between a man and a woman, following recent legislation banning LGBTQ+ propaganda.

International Commitments and Domestic Priorities

Kazakhstan remains a member of international organizations like the UN and has signed agreements such as the Paris Agreement. While the current constitution prioritized international law over domestic regulations, the new version maintains respect for international commitments but removes the requirement to “renounce the first use of armed force.” This change reflects the country’s intent to balance global obligations with national sovereignty.