What Happens During the Transition Period
The transition period from March 16 to June 30, 2026 is complete. Key laws were signed on June 5, the new Constitution entered into force on July 1, and the decree calling Kurultai elections has been signed.
What the Transition Period Means
After the referendum of March 15, 2026, Kazakhstan went through a transition window from March 16 to June 30, 2026. During this time the new Constitution had already been adopted, but the country's formal legal framework still operated under the 1995 model.
What Remained in Force Until July 1
- The 1995 Constitution remained in force until July 1, 2026.
- The President, Government, Mazhilis, Senate, courts, and other institutions continued to work without interruption until the new Constitution entered into force; the former Parliament ceased its powers on July 1.
- Citizens were not left in a legal vacuum: the older norms continued to apply until replacement.
What Has Already Been Completed During the Transition
- On June 5, 2026, the signed constitutional laws on the President, the Kurultai, and the Kazakhstan People's Council were published.
- Part of the transition work was completed even before the Constitution formally entered into force.
What Was Completed by July 1
- The launch of new procedures was prepared organisationally.
- On July 1, 2026, the decree calling Kurultai elections was signed.
- Subordinate acts for rights and institutions requiring administrative implementation continue to be updated.
Key Dates
- March 15, 2026 – referendum and adoption of the new Constitution
- June 5, 2026 – key constitutional laws signed
- July 1, 2026 – Constitution entered into force
- August 23, 2026 – Kurultai deputy elections
- July 2, 2026 – Secretariat of the Kazakhstan People's Council created; no first-session date has yet been published
Why This Stage Matters
The transition period exists so that the state does not switch systems in a single moment. It preserves continuity of power, allows part of the legislative work to be completed in advance, and brings the country to July with a prepared model for launching the new institutions.
Implementation status
In progress Confirmed eventThe first session of the first Kurultai opened on 28 August 2026. Erlan Karin was appointed Vice President on 31 August 2026 by Decree No. 1417.
Next step: Check subsequent official acts and the institutions’ work in practice.
Verified 5 September 2026Key facts
- Transition period: March 16 to June 30, 2026
- The 1995 Constitution remained in force until July 1, 2026
- Key constitutional laws were already signed on June 5, 2026
- On July 1, 2026, the decree calling Kurultai elections was signed
- The first session of the first Kurultai opened on 28 August 2026. The sources reviewed on 5 September 2026 do not confirm the membership approval date or the first session date of the Kazakhstan People's Council.
Public positions and documents
An editorial selection showing how the topic developed and where it stands now.
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«Конституция вступит в силу с 1 июля. В августе состоятся выборы в однопалатный Курултай, а в сентябре будет сформирован Қазақстан Халық Кеңесі. Таким образом, мы вступаем в период больших изменений.»
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«Согласно переходным положениям, новая Конституция вступит в силу 1 июля 2026 года. К этому времени все основные законы должны быть приведены в соответствие с нормами Конституции.»
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«Символично, что в преддверии этого знаменательного дня мы открыли поистине судьбоносную главу в летописи нашей государственности – 1 июля вступила в силу Новая Конституция страны.»
Check this material Provisions and primary sources
Constitutional provisions
Primary sources
Open sources the editorial team used to verify this explainer.
- Official publication of the 2026 Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Decree establishing the Secretariat of the Kazakhstan People's Council
- Decree calling the Kurultai election for August 23, 2026
- Calendar for the August 23, 2026 Kurultai election
- Kurultai deputy election results
- Opening of the first Kurultai session
- Decree No. 1417 appointing Erlan Karin
Related articles
Quick links to the constitutional articles behind this explainer.
Evidence passport Sources checked Checked recently
What the sources support and where to get a machine-readable copy.