Kazakhstan: March 15 Constitutional Referendum Review

The discussion was moderated by Mr. António Buscardini, president of the Press Club.He reminded that those discussions are being made under the auspices of the Shanyraq Dialogues.

The discussion involved the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium and the European Union

The discussion involved the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium and the European Union Mr. Roman Vassilenko, Mr. Evgeniy Bolgert, secretary of the committee on constitutional Legislation, Judicial system and law enforcement Agencies of the Senate of the parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ms. Marilyn Josefson, Foreign Policy advisor from the European Council and Mr. Alberto Turkstra, Project Director at the Diplomatic World, who happend to be present during the referendum as an international observer.

Ms. Giusu Princi, EU MEP delegation for relations with Central Asia also addressed a video message to the public.

The discussion argued about the changement induced by the new constitution, wich met almost 90% of positives votes and will be implemented on the first of July.

During the debates, the speakers addressed how the new rules vows to deepens democracy, reinforce inclusion, hold more accountability and strengthten the rule of law. In a country whose politics is sometimes almost caricaturaly told to be shaped by it's geography, those changement aims to equilibrate the balance of powers, redistribute political roles towards local authorities.

One of the main novelty is the shift toward a monocameral parliament. Alongside it is the protection of fundamental rights and to expends citizens rights to a new area.

The timing of thoses reforms happens after new heights of cooperation between the EU and Central Asia are being reached. Notably following the Eu-CA summit last year in Samarkand and the upcoming visit of Tokaiev in Brussels in June.