Kazakh parliament unanimously passes bill on one 7-year presidential term, capital's renaming

NUR-SULTAN. Sept 16 (Interfax) - A bill amending Kazakhstan's constitution was adopted in two readings at a joint session of the chambers of the Kazakh parliament on Friday, an Interfax correspondent reported.

The bill was unanimously supported by 50 Senate members and 99 deputies of the Majilis, the lower house of the Kazakh parliament, who were present at today's session.

In compliance with the rules, the bill will now be submitted to the country's president for signing.

The bill was presented to the parliament by Justice Minister Kanat Musin, who also said that the proposed amendments consist of three blocs.

"The draft legislation contains provisions establishing a seven-year presidential term without the right to seek reelection," Musin said.

The amendments also propose changing the name of the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan back to Astana, the minister said.

"The issue of renaming the capital has long been discussed by society [...]. Therefore, given society's opinion, this proposal was included in the bill," he said.