What Happened to Republic of Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia, has been in a period of significant transition and reform since the deadly 'January Events' of 2022. These widespread protests, initially sparked by fuel price hikes, quickly escalated into broader anti-government demonstrations, leading President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to request assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to restore order. The events served as a catalyst for Tokayev to consolidate his power and initiate a series of reforms aimed at moving away from the legacy of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev and building a 'New Kazakhstan'.

The initial wave of reforms in 2022 included a constitutional referendum that approved amendments to reduce presidential powers, abolish Nazarbayev's 'Elbasy' (Leader of the Nation) status, restore the Constitutional Court, and establish a single, non-renewable seven-year presidential term. The capital city was also renamed back to Astana from Nur-Sultan. This was followed by snap parliamentary elections in March 2023, held under a new mixed proportional-majoritarian electoral system, which saw the ruling Amanat party retain its majority, though more parties gained representation. International observers, however, noted a lack of genuine competition and media domination by the ruling camp.

In 2024, Kazakhstan continued its reform efforts, adopting a landmark law criminalizing domestic violence and introducing a new Law on Mass Media aimed at modernizing media regulation and enhancing protections for journalists, including decriminalizing defamation. The country also maintained its 'multi-vector' foreign policy, balancing relations with major global powers like Russia, China, the European Union, and the United States, and actively participating in international forums.

The reform trajectory intensified in late 2025 and early 2026. In September 2025, President Tokayev proposed major constitutional changes, including the abolition of the Senate and the creation of a unicameral parliament, along with the introduction of a vice presidency. A Constitutional Commission was established in January 2026 to draft these amendments, leading to a national referendum on March 15, 2026. The new Constitution was overwhelmingly approved by 87% of voters, with a 73% turnout. Critics, including Amnesty International, expressed concerns that these changes, despite being presented as democratic, would further concentrate presidential power and erode human rights standards, citing provisions that permit greater restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and assembly, and enshrine discrimination against LGBTI people.

CURRENT STATUS as of 2026-06-18: President Tokayev signed a package of constitutional laws on June 5, 2026, to implement the provisions of the new Constitution. These laws define the status and powers of the President, introduce the office of Vice President, and establish the Kurultai (Congress) as the supreme legislative body with 145 deputies elected through party lists. A Kazakhstan People's Council was also established as a supreme consultative body. Economically, Kazakhstan's GDP grew by 6.5% in 2025, the strongest growth in over a decade, driven by domestic demand and increased oil output. The IMF projects a growth of around 4.6% for 2026, supported by high oil prices and investments, despite some moderation in Q1 due to oil production disruptions. The energy sector continues to be a key focus, with plans to commission ten renewable energy facilities in 2026 and ongoing initiatives to develop the coal-to-chemicals industry. Kazakhstan also secured preferential financing from the IBRD and AIIB in June 2026 for economic priorities. However, inflation remains a challenge, and human rights organizations continue to highlight concerns regarding freedom of expression and assembly.