Tokayev Officially Approves the Mandate and Powers of Kazakhstan’s Vice President

Astana — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has officially codified the powers and responsibilities of the Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The corresponding presidential decree has been published on the official Akorda website, Tiek.kz reports.

Strategic Functions and Core Competencies

According to the published document, the Vice President’s mandate encompasses a wide range of state duties, specifically focusing on:

• Strategic Development: Drafting and formulating strategic initiatives in both domestic and foreign policy, which are subsequently presented to the President.

• State Representation: Serving as the Head of State’s official representative in high-level interactions with government agencies, political parties, public associations, and international organizations.

Executive Rights and Authority

To effectively execute these extensive responsibilities, the Vice President is vested with significant executive powers. Within his jurisdiction, he holds the authority to:

• Issue independent executive orders.

• Assign direct mandates and instructions to both central and local government bodies.

• Request and access critical information, official documents, and other necessary materials from state agencies and high-ranking officials.

Constitutional Status and Historic Appointment

As previously announced, President Tokayev appointed Erlan Karin to this newly minted, high-ranking post on August 31.

The office of the Vice President is a historic addition to the country’s political structure, introduced as part of the new constitutional framework that came into effect in July of this year. The Vice President is appointed and dismissed directly by the President, requiring the consent of the Kurultai deputies. Crucially, under the Basic Law, should the Head of State resign or pass away, presidential powers will automatically transfer to the Vice President.

Prior to this landmark appointment, the 50-year-old Erlan Karin held a series of key governmental roles, including First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, State Secretary, as well as Assistant and Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan.