Kazakhstan’s Council of People elects Erlan Koshanov as chair UPDATED

Kazakhstan’s Council of People has elected Erlan Koshanov as chair of the country’s new supreme advisory body.

Former Parliament Chairman Koshanov was nominated by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at its first session, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

The president highlighted Koshanov’s long experience in public service and his involvement in implementing major reforms.

Following a vote, Koshanov was elected chair of the Council.

Erlan Koshanov was born on August 14, 1962. Before his new appointment, he served as chairman of the Parliament from 2022 to 2026 and as head of the Presidential Administration from 2019 to 2022.

He previously served as governor of Karaganda Region from 2017 to 2019, head of the Prime Minister’s Office from 2012 to 2017, chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee from 2006 to 2007, and deputy minister of transport and communications from 2003 to 2006.

The Council of People assumes the functions of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and the National Kurultai and will also have the authority to initiate draft legislation.

All ethnic groups will be represented on the Council.

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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has nominated Erlan Koshanov for the post of chair of Kazakhstan's Council of People.

Koshanov headed the Administration of the President of Kazakhstan from 2019 to 2022, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

In 2022, he was elected chairman of the Parliament, a position he held until July 2026.

Under the Constitutional Law, candidates for the position may be nominated by the president and/or at least one-third of the total members of the People’s Council.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov