Proposals include the introduction of the vice-president and the transition to a unicameral parliament President of Kazakhstan Kasym-Zomart Tokayev has proposed the establishment of the vice-president and its constitutional enshrinement. He made the announcement on Tuesday, 20 January, at the final session of the National Caucus in Kyzylorda, the Akorda news service reported.
„It is not for nothing they say - everything has its time. I believe that this time has come. And today, at the final session of the National Curia, I would like to make an important new proposal. It is the establishment of the institute of the Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its corresponding enshrinement in the Constitution,“ Akorda quoted Tokayev as saying. In his speech, the president expressed confidence that the proposed change will organically complement the political construction that Kazakhstan has been gradually and systematically building in recent years.
Appointment of the Vice President and competences
Tokayev specified that the vice-president would be appointed by the president with the approval of the parliament by a simple majority vote. The scope of the vice-president's powers would be determined by the president. According to Tokayev, the vice president has the authority of the head of state:
represent Kazakhstan in international forums and in meetings with foreign delegations, represent the President in Parliament, cooperate with domestic and foreign socio-political, scientific, cultural and educational organisations, and perform other tasks assigned by the President.
„You are aware, of course, that the post of vice-president exists in a number of countries. In our case, the creation of this post will stabilise the process of state management and at the same time bring definitive clarity to the hierarchy of power,“ the President said. Tokayev stressed that the constitutional novelty would not mean a weakening of the presidential system. „On the contrary, the post of president remains a key element of the state system.
I am convinced that Kazakhstan will successfully develop as a presidential republic,“ he added. The reform package is also expected to include the abolition of some of the apparatus structures that support the current parliament and the abolition of the post of state adviser. The president said that the powers, structure and management system of the presidential administration would be reformed in line with political needs.
Support for the transition to a unicameral Parliament
The President further stated that he believes Kazakh society supports the transition to a unicameral Parliament.
„If we say that Kazakhs support the transition to a unicameral parliament, we will not be wrong,“ he said.
Tokayev proposed that the new Parliament be called „Kurultai“ and outlined the basic parameters of its future structure. According to the President, there is no need to increase the number of MPs and the legislature should be composed of true patriots and highly qualified experts. Tokayev said that a proposal was made that the total number of seats should be 145, the number of deputy chairmen should be three and the number of committees should not exceed eight. The new Parliament would be elected for five years.
The President also said that MPs will be elected on the basis of a proportional electoral system, which is intended to strengthen the institutional role of political parties and increase their accountability to society. At the same time, however, the President considers it necessary to maintain the majority system at regional level. Tokayev added that maintaining the majority system in the regions will ensure the representation of local interests and allow for better consideration of regional specificities in the legislative process. The abolition of the presidential quota and the quota for the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is also being considered in the framework of the unicameral parliament.
A new advisory forum „Chalyk kenesi“ will be created“
At the same time, Tokayev announced the creation of a new advisory platform „Khaliq Kenesi“ (People's Council). According to the President, the new body is to build on the experience of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and ensure representation of all ethnic groups and broader social strata. „The historical mission of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and the National Caucus has been fulfilled. I propose to create the People's Council of Kazakhstan - Khalyk Kenesi,“ the President said. The status and method of formation of the People's Council are to be enshrined in a separate chapter of the Constitution and a special constitutional law. Representatives of civil society and public associations are to join its composition. The activities of the Council are to be strictly governed by the Constitution.
„Caring for the people is my highest value“ The President said that caring for the citizens and the interests of the nation and the state are his highest value. He recalled that despite the extremely tense international situation, Kazakhstan had managed to implement complex and profound reforms. Tokayev pointed to the 2022 constitutional reform and the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, in which the majority of citizens supported its direction. He stressed that he takes every decision after carefully evaluating its necessity for the country and that his priority remains concrete work aimed at raising the living standards of the population.
The President proposed a constitutional norm on extraordinary elections Tokayev also said that it was necessary to clearly enshrine in the Constitution a norm on extraordinary presidential elections in the event of early termination of the powers of the head of state. He recalled that according to the current Constitution, in a crisis situation, presidential powers pass to the President of the Senate or other state leaders. The key issue, according to the President, is the interpretation of the term „remaining term“, which can last either six months or six years.
Tokayev therefore proposed that the Basic Law should clearly state that in the event of early termination of the mandate, extraordinary presidential elections must be called and held within two months. According to the President, the constitutional changes will be comparable to the adoption of a new Constitution The President said that the constitutional changes under preparation are comparable in scope to the adoption of a new Constitution. According to Tokayev, it was initially envisaged to amend approximately 40 articles of the Constitution, but in the course of work it became clear that the changes would be significantly more. He recalled that 33 articles were updated in 2022, while the upcoming amendments are expected to be even more extensive. In this context, the President decided to create a Constitutional Commission. The relevant decree is to be signed the following day.
(for) kazinform.kz
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