Kurultai: Kazakhstan's New Parliament
The Kurultai is the unicameral parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The 2026 Constitution replaces the bicameral structure of the Senate and Mazhilis with a single representative body of 145 deputies elected through a nationwide proportional system. Its constitutional powers are significantly greater than those of the previous parliament.
What the Kurultai is
The Kurultai is the supreme representative body of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the 2026 Constitution. It replaces the previous bicameral Parliament, which consisted of the Senate and the Mazhilis.
Structure
Under the new model:
- the Kurultai is unicameral
- it consists of 145 deputies
- deputies are elected through a nationwide proportional system
- legislative responsibility is concentrated in one chamber
Why replace the bicameral system
The 2026 Constitution reflects the view that the experience of the bicameral parliament showed several limits:
- coordination between two chambers slowed the legislative process
- duplication of functions reduced efficiency
- responsibility was diffused across separate institutions
A unicameral structure is presented as a way to improve:
- transparency
- speed
- personal accountability of deputies
Powers
The Kurultai’s constitutional powers are expanded from 13 to 23 functions.
These include:
- adopting laws and constitutional amendments subject to the constitutional procedure
- approving the republican budget
- ratifying international treaties
- giving consent to appointments expressly listed in the Constitution
- hearing Government reports
- expressing no confidence in the Government
- calling presidential elections in cases established by law
- considering defense and security decisions where the Constitution expressly gives the Kurultai a role
Role in checks and balances
The Kurultai is not only a law-making body. It is also a central institution of oversight.
By requiring consent for major appointments and by hearing reports from the Government and other institutions, it becomes more influential in the system of checks and balances.
Why this matters
The transition to the Kurultai is one of the most visible institutional changes in the entire constitutional reform because it reshapes how representation, legislation, and oversight work at the national level.
Key facts
- The Kurultai replaces the Senate and Mazhilis
- It is a unicameral parliament with 145 deputies
- Its powers expand from 13 to 23 constitutional functions
- It plays a stronger oversight role through consent and reporting mechanisms
Public positions and documents
An editorial selection showing how the topic developed and where it stands now.
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«На смену двухпалатному Парламенту приходит однопалатный Курултай.»
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«Как Глава государства считаю крайне важным заблаговременное оповещение о событиях, имеющих большое значение для нашей страны. Поэтому сразу же после вступления Конституции в силу мною будет подписан Указ о проведении выборов в однопалатный Курултай. Выборы состоятся в августе текущего года.»
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«Сегодня я подписал 5 Конституционных законов. Это означает, что в соответствии с новой Конституцией система государственного управления будет коренным образом модернизирована на основе концепции «Сильный Президент – Влиятельный Курултай – Подотчетное Правительство».»
Basis for this explainer
Constitutional provisions and primary sources supporting this explanation.
Constitutional provisions
Article 52· Article 53· Article 54· Article 55· Article 56· Article 57· Article 58· Article 59· Article 60· Article 61· Article 62
Primary sources
Open sources the editorial team used to verify this explainer. Checked 16 July 2026.
Related articles
Quick links to the constitutional articles behind this explainer.