State-of-the-Nation Address by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

On March 16, 2022, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered an Address to the nation of Kazakhstan "New Kazakhstan: the path of renewal and modernization".

The live-broadcast of the Address was watched by IQAA staff with a great interest.

The Head of the State presented the main priorities aimed at improving the political system of Kazakhstan and proposed a number of initiatives:
First. On the powers of the President;
Second. Reformatting the representative branch of the government;
Third. Improvement of the electoral system;
Fourth. Expanding opportunities for the development of the party system;
Fifth. Modernisation of the electoral process;
Sixth. Strengthening human rights institutions;
Seventh. Improving the competitiveness of the media and strengthening the role of civil society institutions;
Eighth. Improvement of the administrative-territorial structure of the country;
Ninth. Decentralisation of local self-government;
Tenth. On priority anti-crisis measures.

The Head of the State noted the need to strengthen the role of the country's Parliament and the transition from a super-presidential to a presidential form of government. The President also instructed to ensure the introduction of a mixed proportional-majoritarian model of elections, and changing the order of formation and functions of the Parliament. Moreover, it was instructed to strengthen the role of maslikhats, simplify the registration procedure of political parties, and expand opportunities for the party system. The Head of the State considered it necessary to ensure the improvement of the electoral process, the independence and transparency of the judicial system, the enhancement of the role of civil society institutions, the media and the protection of the fundamental human rights.

In conclusion, the President noted the importance of adhering to a strategic course aimed at protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, ensuring the fundamental interests of the nation; as well as the need to preserve nation's main asset – Independence; strengthening the foundations of the national identity, and focusing on the transformation of the country.

The official text of the Address of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated from March 16, 2022 can be accessed via the following link: https://www.akorda.kz/en/state-of-the-nation-address-by-president-of-the-republic-of-kazakhstan-kassym-jomart-tokayev-17293.