Kazakhstan's new constitution reinstates vice president with succession role
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Kazakhstan's new constitution reinstates the office of vice president, appointed by the president with the consent of the Qurultay. The vice president represents the head of state and assumes presidential powers if the president leaves office early. The succession order is vice president, Qurultay chairman, then prime minister.
Key Facts
- The new constitution requires the president to obtain consent from a majority of Qurultay deputies to appoint the vice president.
- The vice president represents the president in dealings with the Qurultay, government, and other state bodies, and may receive additional powers from the president.
- If the president leaves office early, powers pass to the vice president, then to the Qurultay chairman, and then to the prime minister.
- The Qurultay must call a new presidential election within seven days of early termination of presidential powers.
Appointment Procedure
Under Article 49 of the new constitution, the president appoints the vice president with the consent of a majority of Qurultay deputies. The vice president is not elected by direct popular vote. The president also has the authority to dismiss the vice president.
Duties and Powers
The constitution defines the vice president's main function as representing the head of state in interactions with the Qurultay, the government, and other state bodies on the president's instructions. The president may delegate additional powers to the vice president. Presidential aide Erzhan Zhienbayev said the vice president may represent Kazakhstan's interests in international relations and engage with socio-political, scientific, and cultural-educational organizations. The vice president is not considered a deputy prime minister; the prime minister heads the government, while the vice president's role is to represent the president and carry out tasks defined by the head of state.
Succession Order
If the president resigns voluntarily, is permanently unable to perform duties due to health, is removed from office, or dies, presidential powers pass first to the vice president. If the vice president cannot assume presidential powers due to health or other personal reasons, the powers pass to the Qurultay chairman, and then to the prime minister. The constitutional order is vice president, Qurultay chairman, prime minister. The Qurultay must announce a new presidential election within seven days of early termination of presidential powers.
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Kazakhstan's new constitution reinstates vice president with succession role
