When will the Vice President appear and how is the office filled?
The Vice President is appointed by the President with the Kurultai’s consent. The first appointment can happen only after the first session of the elected Kurultai; the transitional article allows up to two months after that session.
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.
When the First Appointment Is Expected
A real appointment becomes possible only after the first session of the elected Kurultai. Under the Constitution’s transitional article, the first appointment must be made within two months after that first session.
Basis for this explainer
Constitutional provisions and primary sources supporting this explanation.
Constitutional provisions
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.