Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The Vice President is a new constitutional office created to ensure continuity of governance, coordination, and institutional stability. Appointed by the President with the consent of the Kurultai, the Vice President acts on the President's instructions and does not constitute an independently elected political centre.

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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.

Key facts

  • The Vice President is a new constitutional office
  • Appointment requires both presidential nomination and Kurultai consent
  • The office ensures continuity of governance and executive coordination
  • Temporary assumption of duties prevents a power vacuum during constitutionally defined situations
Related questions

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The President is the head of state, guarantor of the Constitution, and protector of the rights and freedoms of citizens. The President ensures the coordinated functioning of all branches of government and represents Kazakhstan domestically and internationally. The 2026 Constitution preserves the presidential form of government and strengthens checks and balances through broader parliamentary consent in key appointments.

Kurultai Supreme Representative Body

The Kurultai is the unicameral parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The 2026 Constitution replaces the bicameral structure of the Senate and Mazhilis with a single representative body of 145 deputies elected through a nationwide proportional system. Its constitutional powers are significantly greater than those of the previous parliament.

Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The Government is the highest executive body responsible for implementing state policy, managing the economy, social development, and public administration. It is formed by the President and is accountable to both the President and the Kurultai under the new constitutional model.

Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court is the supreme body of constitutional review, ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution and protecting the constitutional rights of citizens. Its decisions are final, binding, and take effect immediately after pronouncement.