Turbulence Across Eurasia Will Not Slow Kazakhstan’s Progress – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

On March 16, I introduced landmark reforms which will build upon and accelerate Kazakhstan’s modernization. They are designed to address the socio-economic and civic grievances voiced by Kazakhstan’s citizens. We heard their voices loud and clear.

The country is embarking on an unprecedented decentralization of state power, enhancing checks and balances. Corruption and nepotism will not be tolerated. Concentration of political power and accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few must be reversed if this country is to prosper.

We are entering a new era in Kazakhstan’s democratic transformation. Key governmental bodies, such as the Office of the President, Parliament, local administrations, as well as the judiciary, and the law enforcement system, will be thoroughly reformed. There will be zero tolerance for torture.

Indeed, political powers will be rebalanced shifting this country from a “super-presidential” to a “normative presidential” model of government. Through new constitutional amendments, Parliament’s authorities will be strengthened, a mixed voting system will be introduced that would include political party lists and single-seat districts, and barriers to the formation of new political parties will be eased, providing for political diversity.

A new Constitutional Court will be created, increasing the strength and the transparency of the judiciary; the Chief Justice will require Senate confirmation.

I have voluntarily curtailed the power of my office by reducing the number of presidentially appointed senators from fifteen to ten.  Of the ten appointees, half will now be recommended by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a consultative body that unites the various ethnic groups in our nation.

Perhaps most importantly, constitutional changes will place more power in the hands of akims (governors) of the districts, cities, and rural districts. From now on, they will be totally accountable to the people.

Our government has listened carefully to civil society and public opinion in the design of these reforms. Economically, our system must work for all people, not just for the very few, as has often been the case in the past.

Growth that is not inclusive is not sustainable. Furthermore, the tremendous wealth accumulated by the oligarchs and their monopolies will be redirected towards the working and middle classes of this country.

The government understands the need to address inequality urgently. As the economy grows, so should livelihoods. The government has been tasked to develop a program to increase wages and reduce poverty. To that end, I have mandated a 40 percent increase in the minimum wage, as well as wage increases for public sector workers. Small businesses will see their tax burdens shrink while Kazakhstan’s extractive companies will shoulder a larger and more just share of the economic burden.

These reforms represent an inflection point for our people. We choose to accelerate rather than to stagnate. And we are determined. We still have far to go. Both domestically or internationally, partnership is still the only way to build a better common future of peace and prosperity. We want to strengthen our three-decade strong friendship and cooperation with Europe and the United States.

Only together can we steer Eurasia towards this goal.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.