Kazakhstanis went to the polls on Sunday to vote on a new constitution that would tighten President Tokayev’s grip on power in Central Asia’s largest country.
The proposal would merge the two houses of Kazakhstan’s parliament into one and give the president the power to appoint all government officials, including reinstating the vice president’s position.
The second constitutional revision in four years was initiated by Tokayev, who explained that the constitutional revision was to meet the need for quick decision-making in a rapidly changing world. But analysts say it could pave the way for him to retain power after his term expires.
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Tokayev, 72, is a former Soviet official and Kazakh diplomat who has served in the United Nations and is currently serving a seven-year term until 2029. Analysts believe Tokayev may use the referendum to reset presidential term limits.
“If the transfer of power does not go according to Tokayev’s wishes… then he will be able to say that with the adoption of the new constitution, we have reset presidential term limits,” Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia and Eurasia Center, told The Associated Press. “The new constitution could provide a loophole for Tokayev to be re-elected.”
