President Tokayev Proposes Transition to Unicameral Parliament in Kazakhstan
Astana, The Gulf Observer: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed transforming Kazakhstan’s Parliament into a unicameral body, describing the move as a major political reform that would strengthen the country’s democratic development and support its long-term social and economic progress in the era of artificial intelligence.
Speaking on the reform, President Tokayev said:
“Today I would like to share my views on a new political reform that will have a significant positive impact on the future social and economic development of our country in the era of artificial intelligence. I am talking about parliamentary reform. This reform of the highest representative body will be a logical continuation of all previous changes, including the reform of presidential power. We have set a course for building a Fair Kazakhstan, for establishing an open and honest dialogue between the government and citizens in the spirit of a ‘listening state.’”
The Head of State recalled that at the nationwide referendum in June 2022, citizens had overwhelmingly supported the course of large-scale modernization based on the principle of “Strong President, Influential Parliament, Accountable Government.” He emphasized that while Kazakhstan’s Senate was created in 1995 during a period of political instability to safeguard state-building, the nation’s political culture and system have since matured, making it possible to revisit the structure of Parliament.
“The Senate has carried out with dignity and effectiveness its historic mission of ensuring stability in state-building. The upper chamber has been and remains an essential guarantor of the legislative process and reforms. I myself had the honor of leading the Senate for ten years, and I have always regarded that work as a great privilege and responsibility. That is why it is not easy for me to stand here today and speak about parliamentary reform. Nonetheless, it is precisely today that I propose creating a unicameral Parliament in the foreseeable future,” President Tokayev noted.
Underscoring the importance of careful deliberation, Tokayev stressed that the reform should not be rushed and must undergo broad discussion within civil society, the expert community, and the current Parliament. He suggested that such consultations would take at least a year, with the possibility of holding a nationwide referendum in 2027, followed by the required constitutional amendments.
“I have repeatedly said that all issues of vital importance to the state will be decided only with the consent of the people. If we reach a common decision on the need to create a unicameral Parliament, then in my view such a Parliament should be elected exclusively through party lists,” the President concluded.
The proposal marks one of the most significant political reforms under Tokayev’s presidency and is expected to spark wide-ranging debate across Kazakhstan.
