Kazakhstan enters new political cycle with Kurultai and cabinet continuity

September 11, 2026 at 09:00 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakhstan has entered a new political cycle following the August 23 elections, with a unicameral Kurultai of 145 deputies beginning work and a new government formed. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov was reappointed on August 31, signaling continuity in the executive branch. The changes combine institutional renewal with personnel continuity, even as high inflation continues to constrain monetary easing.

Key Facts

The unicameral Kurultai of 145 deputies began work after the August 23 elections, with five parties gaining representation.
The Adilet party received 110 mandates, or 71.17% of the vote, with 6,528,948 voters supporting it.
Aibek Dadebai was elected chairman of the Kurultai at its first session on August 28.
Olzhas Bektenov was reappointed prime minister on August 31 after the government resigned before the newly elected Kurultai.
On September 5, Murat Baimukashev headed the newly created Security Council Apparatus, a state body directly subordinate to the president.

Legislative Renewal

The unicameral Kurultai of 145 deputies began work after the August 23 elections. Five parties gained representation: Adilet with 110 mandates, Auyl with 10, Respublica with 9, and Ak Zhol and OSDP with 8 each. Adilet received 6,528,948 votes, or 71.17% of the total. At the first session on August 28, Aibek Dadebai was elected chairman, with Nurlan Beknazarov, Daniya Espaeva, and Dinara Zakieva as deputies. Eight standing committees were also formed.

Executive Continuity

The government resigned before the newly elected Kurultai, but Olzhas Bektenov was reappointed prime minister on August 31. Several ministries received new heads: Mukhtar Tleuberdi at Foreign Affairs, Alibek Kuantyrov at Ecology and Natural Resources, Arman Kyrykbaev at Culture and Information, and Murat Mukhanov at Emergency Situations. The changes indicate continuity of the previously chosen course, with the prime minister and a significant part of the government retained.

Security Cooperation

On September 10, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with interior ministers of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan ahead of the OTS Council of Interior Ministers meeting. Tokayev noted that cooperation among Turkic states is strengthening year by year, including between law enforcement agencies.