Kazakhstan's voters overwhelmingly supported a new constitution in a nationwide referendum, with nearly 87% voting in favor. The constitutional changes bring back the vice president position and grant the president authority to appoint key government officials.
Citizens of Kazakhstan overwhelmingly endorsed constitutional reforms in a nationwide referendum held this week, with the Central Election Commission announcing Monday that 87.15% of voters supported the changes.
Nearly three-quarters of eligible voters participated in the referendum, with turnout reaching 73.12%, according to election officials.
The approved constitutional amendments reorganize Kazakhstan’s Parliament structure and restore the vice president position, which the country eliminated in 1996. Under the new framework, the president gains authority to select the vice president along with numerous other senior government positions.
The rapid pace of the constitutional drafting process has led some political observers within Kazakhstan to speculate about President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s future plans. Some analysts suggest he may be positioning to name a successor as vice president and step down before his term expires, while others believe he intends to remain in power with the new constitution potentially resetting his term limitations.
Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot in Astana, the nation’s capital, Tokayev addressed questions about whether the constitutional changes signal an upcoming leadership transition. He stated that the next presidential election would occur in 2029 when his current term concludes.
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