Tokayev unlikely to seek reelection after Kazakh constitutional referendum, analyst says

Record ID: 2365820

  • Title: Tokayev unlikely to seek reelection after Kazakh constitutional referendum, analyst says
  • Date: 16th March 2026
  • Summary: ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (MARCH 16, 2026) (REUTERS) (MUTE) VARIOUS OF DRONE FOOTAGE OF CENTRAL ALMATY ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (MARCH 16, 2026) (REUTERS) COUPLE WITH BABY IN STROLLER WALKING ALONG PEDESTRIAN ALLEY PEOPLE WALKING ALONG STREET SCULPTURES (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) EXPERT ON SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA FROM KAZAKH-GERMAN UNIVERSITY, RUSTAM BURNASHEV, SAYING: "From the technical
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Kazakhstan analysis constitution president referendum
  • Location: ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN
  • City: ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN
  • Country: Kazakhstan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001439716032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, would unlikely seek another term in office after the voters in Central Asian nation overwhelmingly backed in referendum the new constitution proposed by the incumbent, a political analyst told Reuters in Almaty on Monday (March 16). 
    Tokayev was not under pressure when he had agreed that a president in Kazakhstan should remain in power for a single seven-year term, said Rustam Burnashev, an expert on security in Central Asia at Kazakh-German University. 
    "I do not see why he should change his stance," Burnashev said. He thinks that the official data on voters' turnout and voting results were quite relevant. "There are some minor flaws, but it happens all the time," Burnashev admitted
    Kazakhstan voted 87.15% in favour of adopting a new constitution, the Central Election Commission said on Monday.
    Voter turnout for the referendum stood at 73.12%, the commission said.
    The new constitution streamlines the country's Parliament and recreates the office of vice president, which was abolished in 1996. It gives the president the right to appoint the vice president, as well as a host of other key officials.
    The constitution's swift drafting prompted some analysts in Kazakhstan to suggest that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev might be looking to anoint a successor as vice president and leave office early, or to stay in his post with a new constitution resetting his term limits.
    After voting in the capital, Astana, Tokayev, asked whether the constitution would facilitate a coming transfer of power, said that the next presidential election would take place in 2029 when his term ends.
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