Kazakhstan prepares for “historic”elections as leadership stresses stability and reform

ASTANA — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arman Issetov told a group of visiting journalists that it is important for foreign media to focus not only on Kazakhstan’s forthcoming elections but also on the wider significance of the country’s future development.

“When we talk about the current reform as a whole, it must be viewed in the context of the changes taking place in Kazakhstan and in the wider region at the same time,” he said, placing the internal reforms in an international context.

“Today, the international system is becoming more complex and less predictable. Geopolitical tensions are rising, trade and economic links are changing, and competition for investment, technology and transport routes is intensifying. In these circumstances, stability remains one of Kazakhstan’s main priorities,” Issetov said.

He added that change is also necessary because the economy is growing and creating new demands on the state. “It is important to recognise that these reforms are taking place amid positive economic dynamics. At the end of 2025, Kazakhstan’s GDP growth stood at 6.5 percent. Industry, construction, transport, investment activity and other sectors made a significant contribution. The more complex the economy becomes, the more effective state institutions must be.”

“Kazakhstan is reforming its political institutions not because the country is in crisis, but because it is developing and must prepare its institutions for the next stage of that development. We wish to preserve Kazakhstan’s greatest achievement — stability and the capacity for development — while creating a more effective political system that meets the future needs of the country and its citizens,” the diplomat concluded.

The overall impression from touring Astana is that the capital shows few visible signs of an election campaign. No political billboards are on display, and the holiday season is evident, with groups of visitors from across the country filling the city’s parks and museums.

On Friday, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described Kazakhstan’s upcoming elections to the new Kurultai as potentially “the most interesting in the history of our country.” He highlighted a substantive, open and competitive campaign that marks a new stage of reforms under the updated Constitution.

The Kurultai is Kazakhstan’s new unicameral parliament of 145 members, created under the Constitution that entered into force on 1 July 2026 to replace the previous bicameral legislature. Historically, a kurultai was a traditional assembly of  tribal leaders and nobles, most famously used to elect khans and decide major political and military matters.

In an address to the nation, Tokayev pointed to televised debates, meetings with voters, media coverage and discussions on social networks as key platforms where parties presented their programmes. He noted the emergence of new political figures and ideas, together with active participation by young people, professionals and entrepreneurs. These developments, he said, reflect ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening political culture and expanding citizens’ participation in public administration.

“Without a doubt, these elections will be remembered as perhaps the most interesting in the history of our country,” Tokayev stated. He observed that the campaign had shifted the public agenda toward ideas of development and progress. The Kurultai elections, he added, will mark a new stage of reforms following the entry into force of the new Constitution. “The new legislative body should become a common platform for constructive views and aspirations. The Kurultai will set a high pace for the further modernisation of the country.”

Tokayev expressed confidence that the new legislature would include professionals and patriots committed to the country’s development. Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and growing global challenges, he said Kazakhstan faces complex tasks in its efforts to become a developed state. He described participation in the election as an important expression of civic responsibility and specifically called on citizens — especially young people — to vote on 23 August.

Sunday’s vote will be the first nationwide election under Kazakhstan’s new parliamentary model. Voters will elect all 145 members of the Kurultai, the unicameral legislature that replaced the previous bicameral parliament after the new Constitution took effect on 1 July 2026. Deputies will be chosen through proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency, with parties required to clear a 5 percent threshold. More than 12.6 million people are eligible to vote.

Campaigning, which ended at midnight on 21 August, brought all seven registered political parties into a national debate focused on competing policy priorities. Over four weeks, party representatives took part in televised discussions broadcast by Qazaqstan TV, Channel 7, Jibek Joly and 24KZ. Topics ranged from education and human capital to economic growth, social policy and regional development. The final debate on 19 August brought the leaders of all seven parties together to discuss how economic growth could translate into better living standards.

Kazakhstan’s televised debates mark final stretch of parliamentary campaign

Economic and social issues dominated much of the campaign. Employment, household incomes, education, healthcare, social protection, entrepreneurship and regional development featured repeatedly. Parties placed different emphases on these shared concerns: the Auyl Party focused on agriculture and regional development; Ak Zhol highlighted entrepreneurship and business interests; the Baytaq Green Party centred on environmental subjects; the People’s Party of Kazakhstan and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party gave greater weight to social policy; and Adilet presented a programme covering law and order, regional development, economic competitiveness, digitalisation and social policy.

Kazakhstan Institute for Public Development Deputy Chairperson Zhanar Bukanova described the debates as an important feature that expanded voters’ access to information and contributed to substantive political competition, while stressing the need to maintain dialogue after the vote so that campaign initiatives translate into concrete decisions.

Side events

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan organised events to help visiting journalists better understand the country and the region. Astana International University hosted a joint expert discussion by CFive and the Hudson Institute.

Astana-based CFive describes itself as a next-generation intellectual platform, while the Washington-based Hudson Institute promotes American leadership for a secure, free and prosperous future.

On Friday the two organisations held a high-level discussion titled “Kazakhstan and the New Eurasian Landscape: Strategic Partnerships, Connectivity and Economic Opportunities.” The event marked the Hudson Institute’s first gathering in Central Asia and brought together diplomats, former ambassadors, international experts, business leaders, academics and representatives of national companies. Participants examined Kazakhstan’s evolving role amid shifting geopolitics, new connectivity routes and growing competition for strategic resources.

Key topics included Kazakhstan’s position as a middle power, its strategic and economic ties with the United States, opportunities in critical minerals, energy and investment, the Middle Corridor and Eurasian connectivity, and engagement with Europe and other partners. Speakers particularly noted that Kazakhstan is an active EU partner in Central Asia, advancing regional cooperation, trade, connectivity and dialogue with European institutions.

Featured speaker Ken Moriyasu, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and an expert on Greater Asia, Central Asia and the Caucasus, joined specialists from Kazakhstan, Europe and Geneva for a forward-looking exchange on Eurasia’s geopolitical and economic transformation.

Participants stressed that Kazakhstan’s strategic value goes beyond geography and natural resources. As global supply chains, transport corridors and energy routes are reshaped, the country has a clear opportunity to strengthen its role as a connector state linking markets, infrastructure, energy flows, investment and international dialogue.

The discussion, held at the CFive Intellectual Platform in Astana, reinforced the platform’s growing contribution to expert dialogue on Central Asia’s strategic future and Kazakhstan’s place in the emerging Eurasian landscape.

Domestic and international observers monitored the campaign and will be present at polling stations. A total of 777 foreign observers from 42 countries and 13 international organisations have been accredited. All polling stations were reported ready as of 21 August, with provisions in place to ensure accessibility for people with limited mobility. A campaign silence day is being observed on 22 August ahead of voting. EUalive will report from election day on Sunday.

Caption: Visitors arrive at the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana on 22 August 2026 [Photo: Georgi Gotev]

• constitutional reform
• Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
• Kazakhstan elections

Updated: August 23, 2026 - 10:47