A new institution
One of the important innovations of the 2026 Constitution is the creation of the office of the Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This office is designed to ensure continuity of governance and provide a constitutional mechanism to prevent a power vacuum in case of early termination of presidential powers.
How appointed
The Vice President is:
- appointed by the President
- subject to the consent of the Kurultai
- included in the executive architecture as a constitutionally recognized office
This creates a dual institutional filter: presidential nomination and parliamentary consent.
Main functions
The Vice President:
- coordinates the work of the Government on the President’s instructions
- participates in Government and Kurultai sessions where necessary
- supports continuity in executive governance
- may temporarily perform presidential duties in constitutionally defined situations
Temporary presidential duties
If the President’s powers terminate early, the Vice President temporarily acts as President until new elections are held.
This temporary period is limited:
- it is not a full independent mandate
- it exists to prevent a power vacuum
- it ends once a newly elected President takes office
Limitations
The Vice President is not a second President and does not create a dual executive.
The office:
- does not possess an independent political mandate
- acts within powers delegated or defined by the Constitution
- does not replace the President as the head of state
- is primarily an institution of continuity and coordination
Why it matters
This office is designed to eliminate power vacuums and ensure that the executive branch continues to function during constitutionally defined situations.