Proposed Constitutional Reform & Modernisation of Kazakhstan

Factsheet on the Proposed Constitutional Reform

Overview

President Nursultan Nazarbayev has proposed a constitutional reform aimed at furthering the democratic development of Kazakhstan. During a special televised address to the nation on 25 January, the President announced a number of functions that would be transferred either to the Government or Parliament. Public discussions on the proposed constitutional reforms will take place for the next month, concluding on 26 February. After this, the reforms will be presented to Parliament.

The objectives of the proposed reform

• President Nazarbayev said the point of the proposed reform was to create “a serious redistribution of powers and democratisation of the political system as a whole”. It will substantially contribute to Kazakhstan’s democratic development
• The proposed reform will strengthen the control of the legislature over the executive
• The reform is aimed at improving the efficiency of the public administration system and stability of the political system
• Increasing the role of the Government and Parliament will provide a more effective mechanism of response to modern challenges
• The reform will ensure that all branches of Government work effectively and responsibly and will create an appropriate system of checks and balances
• The proposed reform meets Kazakhstan’s long-term development objectives, including the five institutional reforms and the aim to join the top 30 most developed countries in the world by 2050

Summary of the proposed reform

Approximately 40 functions would be transferred either to the Government or Parliament through relevant laws. More importantly, numerous changes will require amending the Constitution.

Factsheet on the Third Modernisation of Kazakhstan

Overview

President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s annual address was published on 31 January. The President announced the Third Modernisation of Kazakhstan, which involves creating a new model of economic growth that will ensure the country’s global competitiveness. The modernisation includes five main priorities, which are designed to ensure economic growth and sustainable development to help Kazakhstan join the top 30 most developed countries by 2050. The annual address followed a special announcement given by the President last week, in which he set out bold plans to increase the powers of parliament. President Nazarbayev stated that these constitutional reforms are aimed at furthering the democratic development of Kazakhstan, as the Government will be accountable to parliament.

Five Priorities of the Third Modernisation of Kazakhstan

1. First priority – Accelerate technological modernisation of the economy
2. Second priority –Improve and expand the business environment
3. Third priority – Macroeconomic stability
4. Fourth priority – improving the quality of human capital
5. Fifth priority – institutional change, security and the fight against corruption

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