Comparable to adopting a new Constitution: Tokayev on upcoming referendum

Tengrinews.kz – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said that 2026 will be a pivotal year for Kazakhstan, announcing that a referendum on constitutional reform will take place.

Speaking in an interview with the Turkistan newspaper, Tokayev said the coming year would mark a turning point for the country.

“I can already say that this year will be decisive for our country. Very important events will take place that will determine Kazakhstan’s development vector for many years ahead. A referendum on constitutional reform has already been announced,” the President said.

Tokayev noted that he is currently reviewing proposals on amendments to the Basic Law together with a group of experts.

“It is planned to introduce such a large number of changes that, taken together, they will be comparable to adopting a new Constitution,” he added.

In November 2025, Tokayev said at a dialogue platform of rural akims in Astana that voting at the upcoming referendum would effectively mean approving a fundamentally new Constitution, given the scale of the proposed amendments. He stressed that maintaining peace and stability in the country during such a complex and responsible period is critically important.

The President also said the goal of the changes is to create a more professional parliament, consider the formation of new committees – including those focused on digitalization and regional development – and ensure that all reform proposals are thoroughly elaborated and published by a specialized working group.

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