Based on recent developments, including Kazakhstan entering a new political era following historic parliamentary reform, with the Qurultay replacing the country’s bicameral Parliament, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointing his longtime adviser as vice president, and Rosatom signing an EPC contract for Kazakhstan’s nuclear power plant, Qazinform News Agency presents its weekly review of Kazakhstan coverage in foreign media.
Euronews: Kazakhstan enters a new political era after historic parliamentary reform Kazakhstan’s new unicameral Parliament, the Qurultay, has begun work following the country’s first parliamentary election under the new constitutional system, Euronews reports.
The August 23 election filled 145 seats, with five parties entering Parliament. Adilet secured a dominant majority with 71.17% of the vote and 110 seats, followed by Auyl with 10 seats, Respublica with nine, and Aq Zhol and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party with eight each.
The Qurultay replaced Kazakhstan’s bicameral Parliament after constitutional changes approved in a March referendum. “Qurultay is a concept and a name that is characteristic of the steppe culture and Turkic civilisation,” said Nurgazy Anuarbekov of the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development.
At its first sessions, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev nominated Aibek Dadebai as Speaker and appointed former State Adviser Erlan Karin as Kazakhstan’s first vice president. Al Jazeera: Kazakhstan’s Tokayev appoints longtime adviser as vice president According to Al Jazeera, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed longtime adviser Erlan Karin as vice president, a new post created under the Constitution adopted earlier this year.
The appointment makes Karin, 50, first in line to succeed Tokayev as leader of the Central Asian country. He has served as one of Tokayev’s top aides since the president took office in 2019. “He has worked in the system of public administration for many years. One can say that he is a person of broad outlook, with rich experience and a true patriot,” Tokayev said.
Karin previously served as State Adviser and has played a prominent role in promoting Tokayev’s “New Kazakhstan” reform agenda.