Kazakhstan's new constitution cementing president's grip on power approved in a referendum

A new constitution that strengthens President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s grip on power in Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest country, has won overwhelming approval in a referendum

A new constitution that strengthens President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s grip on power in Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest country, has won overwhelming approval in a referendum, according to preliminary results released Monday.

The country's Central Election Commission announced that over 87% of respondents in Sunday's vote supported the constitutional changes that merge the Kazakhstani parliament’s two chambers into one and give the president the right to appoint key government officials with parliament’s approval, including the restoration of the ​post of vice president. The turnout exceeded 73%.

The constitutional changes also envisage the creation of a new body, the People’s Council, alongside parliament, empowered to initiate legislation and referendums. Its members will be appointed entirely by the president.

The second constitutional change in four years was initiated by Tokayev, and some observers say it could pave the way for him to retain power after his term expires.

The 72-year-old Tokayev, a former Soviet official and Kazakhstani diplomat who previously served at the U.N., is currently limited to one seven-year term until 2029. Analysts believe Tokayev could use the referendum to reset presidential term limits. Leaders of several former Soviet republics, including Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, have previously used new or amended constitutions to revise statutory term limits.