The time for change has come! The address of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is cited in social media of residents and causes active discussion among the public. Now it has become clear what a New Kazakhstan will be like. The changes affected almost the entire political system of the country. More than 30 articles of the Constitution will be amended. The head of state stressed that over 20 new laws must be adopted by the end of the year. However, it is not enough just to transform the state apparatus to achieve the goal, each of us must change, the President emphasized.
“We must follow the main principle in the New Kazakhstan: different views, but one nation. A high culture of dialogue and compromise will become one of the important factors in strengthening civil solidarity in our country. We will resolutely oppose ignorance and archaism, radicalism and dependency, the cult of consumption and corruption. We must preserve our main asset – Independence, strengthen the foundations of national identity, focus on the transformation of the country. This is our sacred duty to future generations,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan.
Speaking of the scale of the tasks set today, one important factor can be singled out: the era of the super-presidential system of government will become a thing of the past and will be replaced with a presidential state with a strong Parliament. The Head of State proposes to legislate the obligation of the president to terminate membership in the party for the period of his term. This rule will increase political competition, which means that all parties will receive equal conditions for development. The presidential quota in the Senate will also be reduced.
“Literally everything focuses on the President today. I think this is wrong. We need to gradually move away from this practice. The long-term interests of the state are more important to me than any additional levers of power and situational influence. The rejection of excessive presidential powers will be an important factor that will ensure the irreversibility of political modernization in the country. The proposed initiatives will fundamentally change the rules of the game and form a solid foundation for the further democratization of our society,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Kazakhstan needs big-bang reforms, otherwise it will stagnate, the President believes. He also noted the fact that after the January events, many expected that the authorities would begin to tighten the screws and slow down the pace of modernization. However, according to the head of state, everybody will stay the course. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev assured that systemic transformations will accelerate development in all spheres of life.
Translation by Saniya Sakenova
Editing by Saule Mukhamejanova
