Why This New Office Exists
The Vice President is introduced to support continuity of power and coordination between branches of government.
Candidate Requirements
Under the new model, the candidate must:
- be a citizen of Kazakhstan by birth
- be at least 40 years old
- have fluent command of the state language
- hold a higher education degree
- have lived in Kazakhstan for at least 15 years
- not be a deputy, not belong to a political party, and not conduct business
How the Appointment Works
- The President nominates a candidate
- The Kurultai approves the nomination by majority vote
What Happens in a Force-Majeure Situation
If presidential powers end early, the Vice President temporarily acts as President. The Kurultai must then call extraordinary elections within 7 days.
Confirmed milestones
The first session of the first Kurultai opened on 28 August 2026. Official source.
Erlan Karin was appointed Vice President on 31 August 2026 by Decree No. 1417. Official source.
Transitional Article 95 allowed two months from the opening of the first Kurultai session for the first appointment.