The President of Kazakhstan announced early elections

In autumn, early presidential elections will be held in Kazakhstan, which were previously scheduled for 2024, and early parliamentary elections in the first half of 2023 (according to the plan, they were supposed to be held in 2025). It is proposed to increase the presidential term from six years now to seven, eliminating the possibility of re-election. This is stated in the message to the people, published on September 1 by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. But the decision to limit the term of office will have to be considered by the new parliament next autumn. It is not clear from the message whether the new one-time term will be counted from this year if Tokayev wins, or from 2028.

“As a result, by mid-2023, a reboot and renewal of all major political institutions will be carried out. We are building a fair Kazakhstan with open competition and equal opportunities for everyone,” the message says. In addition, the Kazakh leader announced an amnesty for the participants in the January events, with the exception of the organizers of the riots and those accused under the articles of “high treason” and “attempt to seize power by force.”