Kazakh parliament adopts bill limiting presidential powers, initiating transit to mixed electoral system
ASTANA. Nov 3 (Interfax) - The Kazakh Senate adopted a constitutional bill amending and augmenting certain Kazakhstan's constitutional laws in furtherance of the presidential address of March 16, 2022 at a plenary session on Thursday, an Interfax correspondent reported.
The senate also passed in two readings a bill amending and augmenting certain Kazakhstan's legislative acts in the context of implementation of the presidential address of March 16, 2022.
The bills envisage amendments in seven key areas. Firstly, they limit presidential powers in regard to local executive authorities and the Supreme Judicial Council, reduce the so-called presidential quota in the senate, and impose certain restrictions to be in effect during the presidential term.
The second block of amendments applies to the parliament. The bills amend the procedure of forming parliament chambers amid the Mazhilis transfer to a mixed electoral system and alter formation of the presidential quota at the proposal of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. Additionally, the amendments concern new powers of the parliament provided by the constitutional amendments.
The third block of amendments allows the government to adopt provisional resolutions having the force of law. The fourth block comprises amendments to election laws. The entire electoral system will be reconfigured in connection with the shift to a mixed electoral system. The electoral process will be updated to meet the existent realities. It will be possible to revoke a parliamentary mandate. Elections of the heads of districts and cities of regional significance will be introduced in a phased manner.
There are also amendments reducing the quantity threshold for registration of political parties from 20,000 to 5,000 members, the minimal size of regional offices of political parties from 600 to 200 members, and the minimal size of groups initiating the formation of a political party from 1,000 to 700 persons. The amendments increase the period for holding a founding congress of a political party from two to three months.
Targeted amendments are planned in the establishment of public property on land, subsoil, waters, flora and fauna, and other natural resources.
As reported earlier, the amendments limit presidential powers in regard to local executive authorities and the Supreme Judicial Council and review the procedure of parliament formation. The president will not be allowed to affiliate with political parties, and his relatives will not be allowed to hold political positions or high-ranking positions in the quasi-public sector.
The bills are adopted and will now be submitted to the president for signing.
