On March 16, 2022, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered his annual Address to the people of Kazakhstan at a joint session of the chambers of Parliament.
Today, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered, perhaps, the most anticipated Message to the people of Kazakhstan in the light of recent events.
The Head of State noted the events that took place in January. Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, with his usual clarity, justified all the decisions he made at that difficult time for the country, expressed his condolences and assured that all the guilty persons would be punished, no matter what positions and positions they held in society. The President also thanked everyone who showed courage, unity and solidarity at a crucial moment.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced his main priorities as President – the implementation of reforms demanded by the people and expressed confidence that the country's steady progress and socio-economic transformations are impossible without political modernization.
The new reforms will affect almost all political institutions: the president, parliament, local self-government, party, electoral, judicial and law enforcement activities.
And the President noted the transition from a super-presidential form of government to a presidential republic with a strong parliament as paramount: "A strong president – an influential parliament – an accountable government." And the first thing the President did was declare his intention to leave the post of chairman of the Amanat party and legislate the president's obligation to terminate membership in the party for the period of his powers. This will ensure equal conditions for the development of all existing parties. Along with this, the mandatory withdrawal from the party of the chairmen and members of the Central Election Commission, the Accounts Committee and the Constitutional Council will be regulated by law, and akims and their deputies will also be prohibited from holding positions in party branches.
The Head of State noted that a legislative ban on holding positions of political civil servants and managers in the quasi-public sector will be introduced for the closest relatives of the president.
The Head of State announced his decision to reduce the presidential quota in the Senate from 15 to 10 deputies. The quota of the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan in the Majilis will be abolished, according to which the number of deputy seats in the Majilis will decrease. Along with this, the Head of State noted that the Majilis should be given the right to adopt laws, and the Senate the right to approve or disapprove them. The President noted that special attention should be paid to maslikhats and to strengthen their subjectivity and independence, the post of chairman of the maslikhat should be introduced. It is a key link in local government. In order to systematically strengthen the influence of maslikhats, the Head of State considers it necessary to change the current procedure for appointing akims of regions and make appropriate amendments to the legislation.
In order to improve the electoral system, the Head of State proposed to move to a more harmonious - a mixed electoral system that will fully take into account the rights of all citizens. Thus, the deputy corps of the Majilis will be formed according to the following scheme - 70% on a proportional basis and 30% on a majority basis. In addition, the mixed model will be implemented in the elections of maslikhats of regions and cities of republican significance. At the same time, in cities and districts, it is proposed to switch completely to a majority system.
The policy of building a New Kazakhstan is based on the need to ensure fair and free political competition. Thus, the Head of State proposed to reduce the registration threshold by four times, reduce the minimum number of regional representative offices and reduce, by almost a third, the minimum number of initiative groups of citizens to create a party.
In order to modernize the electoral process, taking into account international experience, constant development and changes in this area, the President noted that the activity of candidates and parties in social networks is of great importance. In this connection, he proposed to legally allow campaigning on social networks.
The Head of State, in order to strengthen human rights institutions, proposed to establish a Constitutional Court. For the final consolidation of the decision to abolish the death penalty, he noted the need to make an appropriate amendment to the Constitution.
The President noted the importance of increasing the competitiveness of the media and strengthening the role of civil society institutions. Therefore, in order to implement these initiatives, it is proposed to revise the law on mass media taking into account the interests of the state, the demands of society and trends in the development of the media sphere; to create "Ulttyk Kurultai" (National Kurultai), which will form a unified institutional model of public dialogue, and strengthen interaction between the government and the people.
As part of the ongoing reforms, it is necessary to improve the administrative and territorial structure of the country, in connection with which the Head of State has put forward a number of new initiatives. To form two new regions: Abai (centered in Semey) and Ulytau (centered in Zhezkazgan). Divide the Almaty region into Zhetysu (centered in Taldykorgan) and Almaty (centered in Kapshagai).
The President emphasized that maslikhats should become a key link of local self-government within the framework of political modernization. I instructed the government to urgently implement a comprehensive package of priority anti-crisis measures.
At the end of the address, the President of the country assured that he wants our citizens to live well today, not tomorrow. The future of the people, the well-being of the country and the protection of our statehood is the most important duty for the Head of State.
The full text of the President's Address can be found on the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan https://www.akorda.kz/ru/poslanie-glavy-gosudarstva-kasym-zhomarta-tokaeva-narodu-kazahstana-1623953