“The People's Council replaces Parliament”

No. The People's Council is a consultative body without the power to pass laws. Only the Kurultai adopts laws. The Council may submit initiatives, but they are not automatically binding.

Updated: 2026-06-13 This page is updated as new official acts, decrees, and clarifications are published.
Myths
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Myth

“The People's Council will become the new parliament and replace the Kurultai.”

Fact

The People's Council is a consultative body, not a legislative parliament.

What It Can Do

  • put forward initiatives
  • raise issues for political discussion
  • represent public and regional interests

What It Cannot Do

  • pass laws
  • replace the vote of deputies
  • automatically trigger binding decisions

Who Passes Laws

Laws are adopted only by the Kurultai as the parliamentary body.

Why the Distinction Matters

If consultative and legislative functions are blurred, it becomes easy to overstate the powers of the People's Council and understate the role of parliament. The new model adds another channel of participation, but it does not replace representative power.

Related questions

Myth: “Everything changes the next day after the referendum”

No. Citizens voted on March 15, the key laws were signed on June 5, and the Constitution enters into force on 1 July 2026. The legal system does not transform overnight: elections, decrees, and institutional launch follow in sequence.

Myth: “Boycott is the strongest political response”

A boycott is not always the strongest strategy. According to the CEC, turnout reached 70.98% – the 50% threshold was exceeded. 87.15% voted in favor. The Constitution was adopted.

Myth: 'If the Constitution Was Adopted by Referendum, It Must Be Perfect'

A referendum confers legitimacy – but not perfection. The US Constitution began by enshrining slavery. Kazakhstan's 1995 Constitution required 56 amendments in 2022. Every constitution is a compromise. That is precisely why the 2026 Constitution builds in mechanisms for renewal: the Constitutional Court, amendments, and the Khalyk Kenesi.

Myth: “If a referendum has only one question, there is no real choice”

A single-question referendum is not automatically fake, invalid, or meaningless. If the issue submitted is a unified constitutional project, one question can reflect a yes-or-no decision on the project as a whole. The key issue is not the number of questions but whether citizens have enough information to make an informed choice.