What the Previous Model Looked Like
The old parliamentary model had two chambers:
- Mazhilis — 98 deputies
- Senate — 49 senators Total — 147 seats.
In addition:
- 9 Mazhilis deputies were elected from single-member constituencies.
- 13 senators were appointed by the President.
What Changes Now
The Kurultai becomes a unicameral parliament:
- 145 deputies
- All elected through proportional representation
- A single nationwide constituency
- A 7% threshold
- A 30% gender quota
Comparison at a Glance
| Parameter | Mazhilis + Senate | Kurultai |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Bicameral | Unicameral |
| Seats | 98 + 49 = 147 | 145 |
| Single-member seats | 9 | — |
| Presidential appointments | 13 (Senate) | — |
| Threshold | 5% | 7% |
| Gender quota | None | 30% |
Practical Meaning
The new model removes duplication between the two chambers, makes the parliamentary architecture more direct, and raises the threshold for parties entering parliament.