In Kazakhstan, president proposes referendum to approve upcoming constitutional amendments

On [29 April, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev] announced an initiative to hold a national referendum to vote on his proposed constitutional amendments. The date has not been announced, but according to Kazakhstan’s laws, referendums must take place between one and three months following their formal approval by the president. The amendments include limiting presidential powers, giving more power to the Parliament and making it more representative by replacing the proportional system of elections with a mixed majoritarian-proportional one and significant decentralisation of power with more competences given to regional and local authorities. Other changes concern the consolidation of human rights protection mechanisms, including the Ombudsperson’s office and establishing a Constitutional Court to which citizens could make appeals.
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