Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25
By Elena Kosolapova – Trend:
The forthcoming reforms to redistribute the presidential powers in Kazakhstan are based on the logic of the country’s development and the modern development in general, said President Nursultan Nazarbayev in a special address aired live by the Kazakh TV channels Jan. 25.
The main point is that the president gives a number of his powers to the parliament and government, said Nazarbayev.
A draft of the constitutional reforms will be put up for nationwide discussions, the president said, adding that a corresponding decree has already been issued.
Nazarbayev stated the need for redistribution of powers between the president, government and parliament in December 2016 at a ceremonial meeting on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence.
The president noted however that Kazakhstan “was, is and will be a state with a presidential form of government.”
A working group was created in January to develop proposals on the matter.
Nazarbayev also noted that under new conditions the president’s priorities will be strategic functions, the role of a supreme arbiter in the relations between government branches, foreign policy, national security and Kazakhstan’s defense potential.
At the same time, the government’s and the parliament’s roles will be significantly elevated.
The reforms will create stability in the country’s political system for many years to come, Nazarbayev said, adding that increasing the government’s and parliament’s roles will also provide a more efficient mechanism to respond to modern challenges.
The reforms are based primarily on Kazakhstan’s own experience and needs, according to the head of state.
“The program of reforms is our response to the question: in what direction will Kazakhstan go? The answer is clear and consistent – in the direction of democratic development,” he said.