Parliament of Kazakhstan adopts law on president and institute of vice president

Deputies of the Parliament of Kazakhstan at a joint session of the chambers adopted the constitutional law "On the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan," which provides for the introduction of a new institution — the vice president of the country.

The law "On the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan" was developed to implement the new constitution adopted on March 15. It provides for the introduction of the institution of vice president of Kazakhstan. The vice president will be appointed by the president of Kazakhstan with the consent of the Kurultai (unicameral parliament). The activities of the vice president will be supported by the administration of the head of state.

A citizen of Kazakhstan by birth, not younger than 40 years old, fluent in the state language, who has resided in Kazakhstan for the last 15 years and has higher education can be appointed vice president of Kazakhstan. The vice president, on the instructions of the president of Kazakhstan, represents him in interactions with the parliament, the government and other state bodies, and also exercises other powers determined by the president.

The vice president cannot be a member of a party or engage in entrepreneurial activities. In the event of early termination of the powers of the president of Kazakhstan, the vice president assumes the duties of head of state, after which elections are announced.

The vice president may be dismissed from office due to committing a crime, obtaining citizenship or a residence permit of another country, being declared incapacitated, death and other grounds. The vice president may also voluntarily resign. The final decision remains with the president of the country.

The law also retains the conceptual provisions introduced in 2022 aimed at moving away from the super-presidential form of government. This refers to a single seven-year presidential term, the non-partisanship of the head of state and restrictions for close relatives of the president from holding leadership positions in state structures.

After adoption by parliament, the law "On the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan" will be submitted to the president of the country for signature.