(17 March 2026 | Source: FBRC)
Following the constitutional referendum in Kazakhstan, discussion about the future of the country's political system has continued in the public sphere.
Businesswoman Zhanar Suleimenova has joined the debate, but her statements on democracy have attracted additional interest due to her family background and the lengthy career of her husband in the state oil and gas sector.
REFERENDUM CONTEXT
The national referendum on the new version of the Constitution of Kazakhstan took place on 15 March 2026. The changes were supported by 87.15% of voters, with a turnout of 73.12%.
International observers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) stated that the vote was conducted openly and without violations that could have affected its outcome.
After the exit polls were announced, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that 15 March would be celebrated annually as Constitution Day of Kazakhstan.
WHO IS ZHANAR SULEIMENOVA
Zhanar Suleimenova is known as a businesswoman and public figure. In the media, she is mentioned as the owner of the Red Park outlet centre chain and co-founder of the Hotel «Dom u ozera» in the resort area of Borovoe.
According to her, she has been involved in business for more than 20 years. In interviews, the businesswoman has said she started in the restaurant business before developing retail projects. She states that her start-up capital was borrowed, and that her husband was not involved in launching the business.
According to public records, Suleimenova studied at the London Business School and the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO. In professional profiles, she is referred to as a marketing specialist and brand manager who worked for international FMCG companies.
She is also involved in public initiatives, including projects of the Asyl Niet association, which is linked to social and educational programmes.
HUSBAND'S CAREER IN THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR
The businesswoman's husband — Daniyar Berlibayev — is a manager in Kazakhstan's oil and gas sector.
Over the years, he has held senior positions in companies of the KazMunayGas group and related structures, including:
- KazTransGas — General Director
- Intergas Central Asia — Deputy General Director
- KazMorTransFlot — General Director
- KazMunayGas — Deputy Chairman of the Management Board.
He has also served on the boards of directors of several oil and gas companies, including the international entity Rompetrol. Berlibayev left his last major position within the KazMunayGas system in May 2022.
FAMILY'S FOREIGN ASSETS
Journalistic reports on foreign property held by Kazakh citizens have also mentioned the family's real estate in Dubai. According to such investigations, Suleimenova owns apartments and other properties in the emirate. In some publications, their total value is estimated at approximately $2.1 million.
WHY THE STATEMENTS SPARKED DEBATE
Zhanar Suleimenova's remarks on democratic principles came amid discussions of political reforms following the constitutional referendum.
In this context, commentators noted the juxtaposition of public reflections on democratic institutions with a family background linked to big business and the state oil and gas sector.
Such discussions reflect a broader question that regularly arises in Kazakhstan's public agenda: what role do representatives of the economic elites formed around state industries play in the conversation about political reforms?