Tokayev announces creation of vice presidency in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is set to introduce the position of vice president, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during a session of the National Kurultai, according to Kazakh media.

Tokayev explained that the initiative предусматривает the establishment of a vice-presidential institution, with the scope of authority to be defined directly by the head of state. Under the proposal, the vice president would act on the president’s instructions and represent Kazakhstan at international forums and in negotiations with foreign delegations. The post would also involve representing the president in parliament, engaging with domestic and joint socio-political, scientific, and cultural-educational organisations, and carrying out other tasks assigned by the president.

“These core provisions regarding the official functions of the vice president should also be reflected in the text of the Constitution. A number of administrative structures supporting the activities of the current parliament, as well as the position of state counsellor, are to be abolished,” Tokayev said.

As part of the same initiative, the president proposed eliminating the post of state counsellor. Addressing the counsellor, Erlan Karin,  in an ironic aside, Tokayev added: “Sorry.”

By Tamilla Hasanova