Kazakhstan · Government
Government and administration in Kazakhstan
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of state — President
- Single seven-year term following the 2022 amendments.
- Executive — Government, led by the Prime Minister
- Appointed by the President with the consent of the Mazhilis.
- Legislative — Parliament — Senate and Mazhilis
- Senate of 50 and Mazhilis of 98; the Mazhilis is the initiating chamber.
- Judicial — Supreme Court and lower courts
- The Supreme Judicial Council recommends judicial appointments.
- Constitutional — Constitutional Court
- Eleven judges serving single eight-year terms.
How legislation is made
Bills are introduced in the Mazhilis by deputies or the Government, and must pass the Mazhilis before going to the Senate. If the Senate rejects a bill it returns to the Mazhilis, and a joint commission may be convened. The President may veto, and an override requires two-thirds of each chamber. The President may also declare a bill urgent, requiring consideration within a month, and may issue decrees with the force of law where Parliament has delegated that power. Laws enter force ten days after official publication unless otherwise stated.
Enforcement institutions
- Ministry of Internal Affairs
- National police, migration service and traffic enforcement.
- Prosecutor General's Office
- Directs prosecution and exercises the post-Soviet supervisory function over the legality of state acts.
- Anti-Corruption Agency
- Investigates corruption offences and administers officials' asset declarations.
- Agency for Financial Monitoring
- Economic and financial crime, anti-money-laundering supervision.
- Commissioner for Human Rights
- Ombudsman institution; given constitutional status by the 2022 amendments.
Government bodies and regulators
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