Three New Institutions of the 2026 Constitution
1. Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
What it is: A new executive office ensuring coordination of the Government and continuity of governance.
How it is formed: The President appoints the Vice President with the consent of the Kurultai.
Powers:
- Coordinates the work of the Government at the President's direction.
- Participates in meetings of the Government and the Kurultai.
- If the President's term ends early, temporarily acts as President until new elections (maximum 60 days).
Important: The Vice President has no independent political authority. This is not a "second president" but a constitutional mechanism for continuity and coordination.
When it will start working: After the Kurultai is formed — autumn 2026.
2. Kazakhstan People's Council (Қазақстан Халық Кеңесі)
What it is: A constitutional consultative-advisory body under the President — a platform for dialogue between the authorities and society.
Composition: Representatives of civil society, NGOs, experts, regional representatives, and business community.
Functions:
- Discussion of draft laws and development strategies.
- Development of recommendations on socio-economic issues.
- Continuous monitoring of reform implementation.
- Review of citizen petitions submitted to the Kurultai.
Difference from previous advisory bodies: The People's Council receives constitutional status — its existence and core functions are enshrined in the Constitution, not in a secondary regulation.
3. Expanded Constitutional Court
What changes:
- Citizens' right of petition. Any citizen who believes that their constitutional rights have been violated by a legal provision may directly apply to the Constitutional Court.
- Expanded composition. The number of Constitutional Court judges increases to handle the caseload of citizen applications.
When it will start operating: The new citizen petition procedure takes effect on July 1, 2026 — when the Constitution comes into force.