Kazakhstan appoints Yerlan Karin vice president, Olzhas Bektenov prime minister

September 6, 2026 at 10:30 AM2 min

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Kazakhstan appointed Yerlan Karin as vice president and Olzhas Bektenov as prime minister on August 31. The Kurultai supported Karin's election with 141 votes, and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the decrees. Aida Balayeva became deputy chairman of the Security Council, and Murat Baimukashev took over as head of the Security Council apparatus.

Key Facts

Yerlan Karin was appointed vice president of Kazakhstan on August 31 after the Kurultai supported his election with 141 votes.
Olzhas Bektenov was appointed prime minister on the same day, having led the government since February 2024.
Aida Balayeva became deputy chairman of the Security Council, combining the post with her role as minister of culture and information since December 2025.
Murat Baimukashev was appointed head of the Security Council apparatus, with Nurzhan Kadzhiakbarov as his first deputy.

Vice Presidential Appointment

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed Yerlan Karin for the post of vice president on August 31. The Kurultai supported Karin's election with 141 votes, after which the president signed the appointment decree. Karin previously served as state secretary, state adviser, and first deputy head of the presidential administration in June 2026.

Prime Minister Confirmation

Olzhas Bektenov was appointed prime minister on the same day after the Kurultai backed his candidacy. Bektenov, a lawyer by training, headed the Anti-Corruption Agency and the presidential administration before leading the government from February 2024.

Security Council Reshuffle

Aida Balayeva was named deputy chairman of the Security Council, a post she combines with the culture and information portfolio she has held since December 2025. Murat Baimukashev took over as head of the Security Council apparatus, with Nurzhan Kadzhiakbarov appointed as his first deputy. Baimukashev previously served as deputy secretary of the Security Council and deputy interior minister, while Kadzhiakbarov was deputy secretary of the Security Council and a minister-counsellor at the Kazakh embassy in Russia.