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| President of Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|
| Post | President of Kazakhstan |
| Native name | Қазақстан Республикасының Президенті |
| Incumbent | Kassym-Jomart Tokayev |
| Incumbentsince | 2019-03-20 |
| Style | His Excellency |
| Residence | Ak Orda Presidential Palace |
| Seat | Astana |
| Appointer | Direct popular vote |
| Termlength | Seven years (single term, 2022 constitution) |
| Formation | 1990-04-24 |
| Inaugural | Nursultan Nazarbayev |
President of Kazakhstan is the head of state of the Republic of Kazakhstan, serving as the supreme representative in domestic and international affairs. The office has been central to Kazakhstan's post-Soviet political development, interacting with institutions such as the Supreme Soviet of Kazakhstan, Soviet Union, United Nations, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Collective Security Treaty Organization and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The presidency has shaped relations with states including Russia, China, United States, Turkey and European Union members.
The office emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union when the Supreme Soviet of Kazakhstan elected Nursultan Nazarbayev as chairman and then president in 1990. Early years involved the adoption of the Constitution of Kazakhstan (1993), the 1995 constitutional referendum, and a series of amendments that expanded executive authority alongside institutions such as the Mazhilis and Senate of Kazakhstan. Post-1991 foreign policy balanced ties with Russia, China, United States, European Union, India and regional organizations like the Commonwealth of Independent States. Political evolution included the creation of the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, energy diplomacy with companies such as KazMunayGas and Chevron, and infrastructure projects connected to the Trans-Caspian corridor and Belt and Road Initiative.
The president serves as the highest guarantor of the constitution and national sovereignty, exercising roles in domestic administration, foreign relations, and national security. Constitutionally, responsibilities encompass appointment powers involving the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Supreme Court of Kazakhstan judges, and heads of bodies like the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan. The president commands national defense bodies formerly linked to the Ministry of Defence (Kazakhstan) and coordinates with regional leaders from oblasts such as Almaty Region and Akmola Region. Internationally, the president negotiates treaties ratified by the Mazhilis and represents Kazakhstan at forums like the United Nations General Assembly, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, and bilateral visits to capitals including Moscow, Beijing, Washington, D.C., Ankara and Brussels.
Presidents have been chosen by direct popular vote under laws interpreted by the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan and overseen by the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan. Electoral law evolved through milestones such as the 1995 constitutional referendum, the 2007 constitutional amendment, and the 2022 constitutional reform which set new term limits. Campaigns involve political parties like Nur Otan, Amanat, Ak Zhol Democratic Party, and movements such as National Social Democratic Party. International observers including delegations from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States have monitored elections in years like 1999, 2005, 2011, 2015 and 2019.
The official residence, Ak Orda Presidential Palace in Astana, hosts state ceremonies, foreign dignitaries, and institutions including the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan. The office maintains ceremonial trappings linked to national symbols like the Flag of Kazakhstan, the Coat of arms of Kazakhstan, and state awards such as the Order of the Golden Eagle. Former seats included facilities in Almaty and buildings associated with the Supreme Council of Kazakhstan. State visits have welcomed leaders from Russia and China and representatives from organizations like the European Commission and United Nations Development Programme.
Key figures include Nursultan Nazarbayev, who led from independence through long incumbency and established institutions like the Nur Otan party; Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a former diplomat and speaker of the Senate of Kazakhstan who succeeded in 2019; and acting or transitional officials who have served in interim capacities. Presidential succession has involved legal mechanisms overseen by the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan and legislative bodies such as the Mazhilis.
Kazakhstan's constitutional framework links the presidency with bodies like the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan, Mazhilis, Senate of Kazakhstan, and administrative entities including regional akims. Political power concentration was influenced by constitutional amendments, party architecture around Nur Otan and state-controlled media outlets such as Khabar Agency. International legal interactions involved instruments like bilateral agreements with Russia and China and engagement with multilateral bodies including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The presidency has faced criticism from domestic parties such as the Republican People's Party and civil movements including Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan and activists from Zhanaozen and Mangystau Region protests. International critics, including observers from the European Parliament and NGOs like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have raised concerns about electoral conduct, media freedom, and political pluralism. High-profile events include the Zhanaozen massacre, controversies over amendments like those in 2007 and 2017, and debates about the role of the former president as leader of the nation and holder of titles such as Elbasy. Legal and political disputes have involved prosecutions, pardons, and institutional reforms monitored by entities such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Category:Politics of Kazakhstan