Formulation on the use of the Russian language changed in the draft new constitution of Kazakhstan

Photo: Zakon.kz

Bakyt Nurmukhanov explained that during the development of the new Constitution, "special attention is paid to ensuring terminological and semantic uniformity," which is why linguists and other specialists "introduced editorial and stylistic changes based on their recommendations."

Previously, Article 9 of the draft new Constitution stated that in state organizations and local self-government bodies, the Russian language is officially used on an equal footing with Kazakh. Now this word will be replaced by the word "along with".

The current constitution of Kazakhstan uses the word "on an equal footing" ("тең", "наравне").

The initiative to change the constitution of Kazakhstan was expressed in January by the country's 72-year-old president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He is currently serving his supposedly single seven-year term, according to the amendments introduced to the constitution in 2022, which ends on November 20, 2029 (the elections in 2022 were early; Tokayev served only 3 years of his first five-year term). Whether Tokayev will have the right to run again after the adoption of the new constitution is not yet directly stated at the official level.

In general, the draft new constitution, as always in such cases, mainly concerns the organization of power and governance of the state. The country proposes to replace the bicameral parliament with a unicameral Kurultai of 145 deputies, who will be elected by party lists for five years. The current mixed electoral system is being abolished.

It is also planned to create a new consultative body — Khalyk Kenesi (People's Council), which will meet at least once a year and have the right of legislative initiative. All 126 members of Khalyk Kenesi will be appointed directly by the president. Many compare this body to Lukashenka's All-Belarusian People's Assembly.

In addition, the new draft constitution provides for the re-establishment of the post of vice-president after 30 years, who represents Kazakhstan at international forums, participates in Kurultai meetings on behalf of the president, and works with socio-political, scientific, and cultural organizations. The vice-president's candidacy is proposed by the president, and the Kurultai can approve it no more than twice. If the deputies do not agree with the proposed candidacy, the parliament is automatically dissolved.

The Speaker of the Kurultai, the Prime Minister, and the judges of the Supreme Court will be approved on a similar principle. It is noted that the chairmen of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed by presidential decrees.

The new constitution provides for the possibility for deputies to initiate impeachment of the president, which is not in the current basic law, but if the Constitutional Court does not support the Kurultai's decision, the initiators lose their mandates.

Other important innovations: the constitutional supremacy of the Constitution of Kazakhstan over decisions of international organizations, the definition of marriage as a union of a man and a woman, the restriction of protests that threaten public safety and morality, the establishment of the institution of ombudsman and advocacy at the constitutional level, as well as the adoption of all constitutional amendments only through a nationwide referendum.

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