ASTANA, July 1. /TASS/. A new constitution entered into force in Kazakhstan on July 1, introducing a number of changes to the state governance system, including a transition to a unicameral parliament and the re-establishment of the vice-presidency. Moreover, it establishes the primacy of national law over international law and introduces several ideological and social provisions.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev who initiated amendments to the previous constitution and subsequently supported the drafting of a new one, described the changes in the country as a "large-scale reboot" of all state and public institutions. He had also previously announced an impending "overhaul" of the state structure, assuring that the ongoing process is "not just another administrative reform."
Political analyst Gaziz Abishev noted in an interview with TASS that, despite significant changes, the president retains a pivotal role. "A substantial portion of state powers is concentrated in the hands of the president, and a strong president exerts influence over the parliament and the accountable government. In this regard, our constitution is more candid. It honestly reflects the nature of our country as a presidential republic. Of course, one cannot build the entire state political architecture with a single decree," he said.
