The upcoming referendum will pave the way for the creation of a more flexible and ideologically secure governance model.
On March 15, citizens will head to polling stations in Kazakhstan to vote on a comprehensive package of amendments to the Constitution. These reforms, which address various aspects—from parliament to the foundations of national identity—are aimed at adapting the political system to modern challenges.
Branches of Power: A New Balance
A key issue of discussion has been the expansion of presidential powers concerning the legislative branch. According to the proposed project, the president will be able to dissolve parliament if the nominations for the position of prime minister or judges of the Constitutional Court are rejected twice.
Critics point to the potential risks of strengthening executive power. However, reform advocates and legal experts refer to international experience, where similar provisions act as "safeguards" during institutional crises.
- In Germany, for example, the federal president has the right to dissolve the Bundestag if the chancellor loses confidence (as happened in December 2024 with Frank-Walter Steinmeier).
- Similar mechanisms operate in the Czech Republic, Italy, and Spain, where the inability to form a government leads to new elections.
- Even in the United States, where there is no institution of dissolution, presidents (from Kennedy to Obama and Trump) have used temporary appointments to overcome political paralysis.
In this context, the dissolution of parliament is viewed not as a tool of suppression, but as a way to return the final decision to the voter when politicians cannot reach an agreement.
Constitutional Identity
Particular attention in the reform is given to the preamble of the Constitution, which becomes not just a formal introduction but an ideological foundation. For the first time at the highest legal level, the principle of historical continuity is enshrined: modern Kazakhstan is defined as a continuation of the centuries-old history of the Kazakh state with roots in the era of the Kazakh Khanate.
This norm is significant both domestically and internationally. The wording about "the ancestral Kazakh land" and the emphasis on historical subjectivity create a legal barrier against attempts to challenge Kazakhstan's territorial integrity. Thus, national identity and universal human rights are proposed as complementary aspects of development.
Simplifying the Parliamentary Structure
The transition from a bicameral parliament to a unicameral model is also proposed, which has several arguments in favor of this step:
Speed of Decision-Making: Eliminating the coordination between the Mazhilis and the Senate will allow for quicker responses to changes in the economy.
Reducing Expenses: In the context of a budget deficit, reducing costs for maintaining the second chamber will allow for the redistribution of funds to education and social needs.
Compliance with Global Standards: A unicameral structure is a common practice in unitary states with comparable populations.
Maintaining Secular Character
In the context of growing regional instability, the draft of the new Constitution clearly emphasizes the principle of separation of religion from the state. The reform asserts that the state remains a neutral arbiter, not imposing ideologies and ensuring equal rights for all—both believers and non-believers. This legal mechanism is designed to prevent the politicization of religion and protect religious organizations from administrative pressure.
The upcoming referendum represents an attempt by Astana to create a more dynamic and ideologically resilient governance model. The success of this reform will depend on how effectively the new tools—from the right of dissolution to a unicameral parliament—function in real practice, ensuring the promised stability and development.
Some time ago, on February 17, a phone conversation took place between Presidents Sadyr Japarov and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the conversation, they discussed current issues in Kyrgyz-Kazakh relations, and Tokayev shared with Japarov information about the constitutional reform in Kazakhstan, which lays the groundwork for long-term progress. The head of Kyrgyzstan expressed support for these significant changes in the neighboring state.
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