Why the Vice President is Introduced
Under the 1995 Constitution, if presidential powers ended early, they passed to the Chair of the Senate, then the Chair of the Mazhilis, and then the Prime Minister. The new model places the Vice President first in that chain, making the mechanism of continuity more direct and manageable.
New Succession Order
- Vice President – first in line
- Chair of the Kurultai – if the Vice President cannot assume the powers
- Prime Minister – next in the order of substitution
How the Office is Filled
- The Vice President is appointed by the President.
- The appointment requires the consent of the Kurultai.
- Exact qualification details should be checked against the final text of the signed law on the President and the official publication.
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.
Fact
The Vice President institution existed in Kazakhstan in 1991–1995. Erik Asanbayev held the office in 1991–1995.