Kazakhstan Enacts Key Constitutional Laws to Advance Political Reforms

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed on June 5 a package of constitutional laws to implement the provisions of the Constitution adopted on March 15. Photo credit: Akorda The constitutional law on the President of Kazakhstan defines the status and powers of the President and introduces the office of Vice President, who will represent the Head of State before government bodies and perform duties assigned by the President, reported Akorda. The law on the Kurultai (Congress) of Kazakhstan and the Status of Its Deputies establishes the Kurultai as the country’s supreme legislative body. It will consist of 145 deputies elected through party lists for five-year terms and will hold broad powers, including approving key state appointments, calling presidential elections and approving reports on the execution of the national budget. The law on the Kazakhstan People’s Council establishes the Council as the supreme consultative body tasked with promoting national dialogue and civil society participation in policymaking. It is granted legislative initiative and the right to propose nationwide referendums. The law on the Status of the Capital of Kazakhstan sets out the legal, economic and organizational framework for the capital’s development, clarifies the powers of local authorities and introduces requirements for a unified architectural and urban design code. The law on the Administrative-Territorial Structure regulates the creation, abolition, registration and renaming of administrative-territorial units and aims to ensure effective territorial governance. The post Kazakhstan Enacts Key Constitutional Laws to Advance Political Reforms appeared first on The Astana Times.