{"id":61641,"date":"2026-03-15T15:08:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T15:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyspokesman.net\/live\/?p=61641"},"modified":"2026-03-15T16:11:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T16:11:28","slug":"kazakhstan-prepares-for-historic-constitutional-referendum-amid-economic-strength-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyspokesman.net\/live\/2026\/03\/15\/kazakhstan-prepares-for-historic-constitutional-referendum-amid-economic-strength-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"Kazakhstan Prepares for ‘Historic’ Constitutional Referendum Amid Economic Strength Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\" Derya Soysal<\/strong><\/h4>\n

On the morning of 14 March 2026<\/b><\/strong>, just one day before Kazakhstan\u2019s nationwide constitutional referendum, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0addressed international journalists during a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Astana. The press event formed part of a special media tour organized for foreign reporters covering what officials describe as one of the most consequential political moments in the country\u2019s modern history.<\/p>\n

Opening the briefing, Issetov welcomed the journalists gathered in the ministry\u2019s Kazakhstan Hall and emphasized the importance of the moment. \u201cI warmly welcome you in Kazakhstan\u2026 during the period of a significant event for our country \u2013 the national referendum on the new draft of the Constitution,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0he said, underlining that the vote scheduled for 15 March<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0would mark a major step in the country\u2019s political development.<\/p>\n

Throughout his remarks, the Deputy Foreign Minister repeatedly framed the referendum as a historic turning point, stating that \u201ctoday our country is experiencing a truly historic stage in its development.\u201d<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n

A Reform Built on Three Decades of Statehood<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Before outlining the details of the proposed constitutional reform, Issetov reflected on Kazakhstan\u2019s development since independence. The message was clear: the referendum is presented not as a reaction to instability but as the next phase of a long-term national trajectory<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Deputy Foreign Minister reminded journalists that over the past decades Kazakhstan has built the foundations of an independent state and steadily modernized its economy and institutions. \u201cOver the past years, we’ve accomplished a lot. We have built an independent state and laid the foundations for sustainable development,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0he said. We have to highlight that Kazakhstan has gain a lot of prestige in the whole world with Tokayev.<\/p>\n

Economic development and investment in human capital were also highlighted as key achievements. According to Issetov, Kazakhstan has consistently pursued economic diversification while investing heavily in education and science. \u201cWe have been consistently developing our economy\u2026 while paying particular attention to the development of human capital,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0he noted.<\/p>\n

This narrative of steady progress set the stage for the central argument of the briefing: that constitutional reform is the logical continuation of the country\u2019s modernization<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Economic Stability Ahead of Political Transformation<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

During the briefing, Issetov also presented economic indicators intended to demonstrate Kazakhstan\u2019s resilience in an uncertain global environment.<\/p>\n

He pointed out that the country\u2019s gross domestic product reached 306 billion US dollars last year<\/b><\/strong>, allowing Kazakhstan to enter the list of the 50 largest economies in the world<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, the government expects continued growth. According to forecasts by international financial institutions, the country\u2019s GDP could reach 320 billion dollars by the end of the current year<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Financial reserves were also highlighted as a sign of economic stability. As Issetov explained, \u201cthe country\u2019s gold reserves amount to 74 billion dollars, while total reserves stand at 139 billion dollars.\u201d<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n

These figures were presented as evidence that Kazakhstan is entering the constitutional referendum from a position of economic strength.<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Political Reform Agenda<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

The constitutional reform initiative, according to the Deputy Foreign Minister, stems from a broader transformation agenda initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan\u2026 large-scale transformations are being implemented,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0Issetov told reporters, describing the constitutional reform as a continuation of earlier political changes.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, the reform process initially focused on parliamentary changes. However, public discussions soon expanded far beyond that initial scope. \u201cPublic discussions that lasted for six months went far beyond this initiative,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0he said.<\/p>\n

The final result, he suggested, was a comprehensive constitutional redesign rather than a limited institutional adjustment.<\/p>\n

New Constitution<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

A central theme of the briefing was public participation in drafting the proposed constitution. Authorities sought to present the reform as a nationwide process shaped by citizen input<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To gather proposals, a Constitutional Commission of 130 members<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0was established. According to Issetov, the commission reviewed more than 12,000 suggestions submitted by citizens<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0through the government\u2019s digital platforms.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Commission carefully reviewed and summarized more than 12,000 proposals submitted by citizens through the state digital platforms eGov and eOtinish,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0he explained.<\/p>\n

The work of the commission, he stressed, was transparent and inclusive. \u201cIt is important to emphasize that the work of the Commission was fully transparent,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0he added.<\/p>\n

In this context, the reform was linked to the government\u2019s broader concept of a \u201clistening state,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0where institutions respond more directly to citizens\u2019 concerns.<\/p>\n

The scope of the proposed changes is substantial. According to the government, the amendments affect 84 percent of the current constitution<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

As Issetov explained to journalists, \u201centirely new articles and sections were drafted, and the structure of the Basic Law underwent significant changes.\u201d<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n

However, he emphasized that the importance of the reform lies less in the quantity of amendments than in their meaning. \u201cThe novelty of the reform lies not in the number of amendments but primarily in its new conceptual content,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0he said.<\/p>\n