Kazakhstan Implements Unicameral Parliament and Vice Presidency Under New Constitution

On 1 July 2026 Kazakhstan’s 1995 constitution was superseded by a new basic law. The Senate and Mazhilis were dissolved and replaced by a single-chamber Kurultai of 145 deputies elected via nationwide party lists. The amendment also establishes a vice-presidency and mandates a snap parliamentary election in August 2026.

Tokayev Marks End of Kazakhstan’s Bicameral Parliament Ahead of Historic Constitutional Shift

A March 15 2026 referendum ratified the new constitution with 87.15 % support. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, whose term ends in 2029, presented the reform as a “new chapter” after the 2022 unrest that ended his alliance with founding president Nursultan Nazarbayev. The ruling Amanat party merged into the Adilet party; opposition groups Ak Zhol, Auyl and the People’s Party refreshed their leadership ahead of the vote.

The Straits Times

• 15 Mar 2026 – Referendum (87.15 % approval).

Tokayev Marks End of Kazakhstan’s Bicameral Parliament Ahead of Historic Constitutional Shift

• 30 Jun 2026 – Final joint session of bicameral parliament.

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Gives Way to New Kurultai Under Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset

• 1 Jul 2026 – Constitution takes effect; Senate and Mazhilis dissolve.

Tokayev Marks End of Kazakhstan’s Bicameral Parliament Ahead of Historic Constitutional Shift

• Aug 2026 – Snap election for 145-member Kurultai.

Tokayev Marks End of Kazakhstan’s Bicameral Parliament Ahead of Historic Constitutional Shift

• Late 2026 – Election decree signed; Data Center Valley project launched.

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Gives Way to New Kurultai Under Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset

Tokayev reported 6.5 % GDP growth, total output above $300 billion and per-capita income $15,000. From 2023-2025, 540 industrial projects worth $7.1 billion created ~50,000 jobs; a further $5.8 billion in projects aim to add 20,000 jobs. Middle Corridor cargo rose fivefold to >4 million tons annually.

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Gives Way to New Kurultai Under Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset

Tokayev framed the reform as governance modernization, calling for faster law-making, removal of bureaucratic obstacles, and greater use of experts, predictive analytics and big-data modeling. He noted Kazakhstan’s early adoption of a Digital Code and a dedicated AI law, and announced the Data Center Valley megaproject to meet AI’s energy and computing needs.

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Gives Way to New Kurultai Under Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset

One source cites roughly 3,500 laws passed over three decades, while another mentions over 300 major laws adopted in the past three years, reflecting different scopes. No source names the appointed vice-president, and opposition commentary on the reforms is absent.

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Gives Way to New Kurultai Under Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset

• “We intend to carry out a major overhaul of the foundation of Kazakh statehood, the foundation and load-bearing structures of the country's independence,” — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President

The Straits Times

• “Today, we are completing an important parliamentary political cycle and opening a new chapter in the development of independent Kazakhstan,” — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Gives Way to New Kurultai Under Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset

• “The Kurultai will have to eliminate all obstacles in the form of bureaucratic procedures, increase the speed and quality of law-making, and organize the effective work of qualified experts and consultants,” — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Gives Way to New Kurultai Under Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset

• “Artificial intelligence requires enormous volumes of energy and computing space,” — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Gives Way to New Kurultai Under Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset

Tokayev will sign a decree calling the August 2026 Kurultai election and urges voter participation. The new legislature will oversee the Data Center Valley megaproject, expand e-Parliament functions, and push digital, energy and transport reforms to keep Kazakhstan competitive in the global digital matrix.

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Gives Way to New Kurultai Under Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset