How is the Kurultai different from the Mazhilis and the Senate?
The Kurultai is a unicameral parliament. The Senate and presidential appointments to parliament are abolished. There are 145 deputies instead of 147 and the threshold rises from 5% to 7%. Women, young people, and persons with disabilities must jointly make up at least 30% of a party list.
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
- Women, young people, and persons with disabilities jointly make up at least 30% of a party list
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% |
| Party-list quota | Different rules under the former model | At least 30% jointly for women, young people, and persons with disabilities |
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.
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