During his Address to the people of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed a constitutional reform and a transition to a unicameral Parliament.
According to Akorda, the Head of State emphasised that the Senate was created in 1995 under conditions of political instability and has played an important role in ensuring the stability of state-building over the past decades. According to Tokayev, the chamber "has fulfilled its historical mission with dignity".
The President recalled that he himself led the Senate for ten years, describing this work as "an honour and a responsibility." At the same time, he noted that the time had come for a new discussion.
"Today, I will put forward a proposal to establish a unicameral Parliament in our country in the foreseeable future. I would like to immediately warn that this is a very serious issue, and haste in resolving it is completely inappropriate. This reform must become the subject of a thorough discussion in the civil sector, among experts, and, of course, in the current Parliament," he said.
According to Tokayev's estimates, the discussion, given the extraordinary nature of the reform, will take at least a year.
"After that, in 2027, a national referendum could be held, and then the necessary amendments to the Constitution could be made. I have said many times that all matters of fateful significance for the state will be decided only with the consent of the people," the statement reads.
The President stressed that if the reform is adopted, the new Parliament should be formed exclusively through party lists, which is consistent with international practice.
Tokayev noted that current deputies will be able to complete their current mandate, and political parties will have time to prepare for elections under conditions of "serious competitive struggle."
Separately, the President added that reforms must be discussed openly and only with the consent of the people.
"I am convinced that on such fateful issues, an open dialogue with the people must be conducted. Only then, through joint efforts, will we advance on the path to building a just and strong Kazakhstan," Tokayev summarised.
Recall that earlier Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the need to create a new agency — the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.