Understanding the "New Kazakhstan" Agenda
Since assuming the presidency, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has framed his administration around the concept of a "New Kazakhstan" — a political programme that promises a more open political system, decentralisation of power, and a stronger role for civil society. But what does this actually mean on the ground, and how much has genuinely changed?
Key Political Changes Since 2022
Following the January 2022 unrest — the most significant civil disturbances Kazakhstan had seen since independence — Tokayev moved quickly to consolidate power and introduce a series of institutional reforms. These included:
- Constitutional referendum (June 2022): Voters approved amendments reducing presidential powers on paper, including limiting the president to a single seven-year term and restricting family members of the president from holding senior state positions.
- Electoral law changes: A mixed proportional-majoritarian system was reintroduced to the lower house of parliament (Mazhilis), allowing independent candidates to compete alongside party lists for the first time in decades.
- Re-registration of political parties: The rules were lowered to allow new parties to register more easily, and several new political formations entered parliament in the 2023 elections.
- Regional governor elections: Direct elections for regional governors (Akims) were piloted in several oblasts, a notable decentralisation move in a country historically governed top-down.