In 1991, Kazakhstan, like other republics of the former USSR, acquired the status of a democratic state of law. The first constitution, adopted in 1993 (subsequently it was repeatedly supplemented and changed), established a unitary form of government headed by the president.
The Republic has a single structure of governing bodies and a common law for all regions. Like any democratic state, Kazakhstan has three branches of government, the most important of which is the legislative one, presented by parliament, it consists of an upper and lower house.
general information
The main feature of a legal society is a well-implemented principle of separation of powers. Management in the country cannot be in the same hands and should be evenly distributed between other structures. In order to avoid the establishment of an authoritarian regime, the existing branches of government - legislative, executive and judicial - should act only within their powers, while exercising mutual control.
The Parliament of Kazakhstan meets the general concept of a democratic state. It consists of two chambers, the Senate and the Majilis, as well as the Constitutional Council. The main function of the parliament is the adoption of laws. Such a device replaced the unicameral authority - the Supreme Council, acting since 1937.
In 1995, with the adoption of the Constitution, a new parliament was finally formed. For all its existence in the lower house, most of the seats belonged to the party of the President of Kazakhstan. Nursultan Nazarbayev and his “Nur Otan” almost always lead by margin among other political communities.
Local law
Since Kazakhstan is a country with a unitary form of government, individual regions and cities build their activities on the basis of a single legislation for all. However, the constitution of the republic, in addition to the highest state power, establishes a regional system of representative bodies (maslikhats), they have the following powers:
- solving some local issues;
- planning of various development programs of territorial significance;
- consideration and control of reports of the regional executive authority;
- ensuring the rights of citizens of this region.
Maslikhat deputies can adopt laws only on the basis of the interests of this particular area and its inhabitants, and also participate in local referenda. Other laws common for the entire territory of the country are adopted only directly by the parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Upper chamber
The main function of the Senate and its deputies is legislative, in addition, the parliament exercises exclusive jurisdictions, such as: on the instructions of the president, the dismissal of the chairmen of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the National Bank, etc.
At present, the sixth convocation senate operates in the country, the term of office of its members is 6 years, and the composition of the meeting may be partially updated every three years. The official meeting is considered the first meeting, and the last - the end. The Parliament of Kazakhstan may prematurely terminate its work in the manner prescribed by the Constitution of the country.
Of the 47 senatorial seats, 15 are allocated by the president, the rest are appointed from each region or city of republican significance. A deputy of the highest executive body cannot simultaneously be in the lower and upper houses.
The Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan holds meetings both separately (only by the highest body), and jointly with the Majilis (the latter usually occur on the day of opening and closing of sessions).
Lower Chamber
The powers of the second legislative body include the following points:
- The appointment of presidential elections in the republic.
- Only the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan has the legislative initiative, projects can be submitted by the head of state, deputies and the government.
- The laws issued regulate a wide list of important public relations, which include:
- scope of taxation;
- observance of civil rights and freedoms;
- budget issues;
- control over the actions of state bodies;
- education;
- social services, healthcare, and more.
The lower house consists of 107 deputies, each party nominates candidates and the number of candidates to the parliament of Kazakhstan is already determined through free elections. Nine people in the Majilis have the right to nominate a special advisory body under the president - the Assembly of the People of the Republic, whose duties include the promotion of national politics in the country.
The lower house of the legislature consists of seven committees, the so-called working bodies, it is here that the laws that have been received are considered and they are submitted to the general meeting.
Interesting Facts
In 2007, the president’s party broke all records for voters, receiving 88.4 percent of the total.
In 2011, Nursultan Nazarbayev prematurely terminated the powers of the fourth convocation of the Mazhilis and appointed re-elections, as a result of which three parties overcame the seven percent passing barrier.
Every year there is a reduction in the political communities nominating their candidates for power. In 2016, the minimum number of parties participated in the parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan, only six, and in 2012 there were seven.