Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Italy, H.E. Mr. Yerbolat Sembayev, briefs Italian media on upcoming presidential election in Kazakhstan

2 November 2022, Rome. Today the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Italy hosted a briefing by Ambassador Yerbolat Sembayev for Italian journalists. The briefing was dedicated to the upcoming election of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and was attended by representatives of Italian media, such as Agenzia Nova, AdnKronos, Il Faro, InsideOver, Opinio Juris, Agenparl, Specchio Economico and others.

Addressing to the participants of the briefing, Ambassador Sembayev noted that the snap presidential election is dictated by the need for major reforms aimed at the further modernisation of Kazakhstan. Our country is changing rapidly, and it is important for our citizens to express their views on the future direction of the state development.

“The upcoming elections will be the most competitive in Kazakhstan’s history. Six candidates with different political views are running, giving voters a wide choice. In addition, for the first time in our history two female candidates are running the race to be elected to the office of the President. This is another important step in the ongoing democratic development of Kazakhstan”, - Yerbolat Sembayev said.

The Ambassador also noted that elections are a logical continuation of transformations already launched in the country, promote consistent democratisation and ensure sustainability of the state. 

“The programme of political reforms proposed by President Tokayev opens a new stage in political development of Kazakhstan and is aimed at changing the whole state model and form of government of our country by limiting the powers of the President, strengthening the role of Parliament, increasing the participation of citizens in the political processes and further strengthening the protection of human rights”, - added the Kazakh diplomat.

Yerbolat Sembayev told Italian journalists in detail about reformatting the procedure for the formation and functions of the upper chamber of Parliament, the Senate, reforming the system of election to the lower chamber of Parliament, the Mazhilis, establishment of the Constitutional Court to protect the Constitution and review the powers of the President, removing barriers to the formation of new political parties, a total ban on the death penalty in the country and many other reforms.

Besides, Ambassador Sembayev presented the Italian media with the new economic course of Kazakhstan, where encouraging of private entrepreneurship, departing from state capitalism and excessive state intervention in the economy, developing competition, ensuring equal opportunities for all, equitable distribution of national income are considered as the main priorities.

Following the briefing, Ambassador Sembayev answered questions of the journalists.