Kazakhstan's Tokayev Pushes Bold Reforms to Empower Local Councils
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for major reforms to strengthen the role of maslikhats, the country's local representative bodies. Speaking in early 2026, he highlighted the need for clearer powers, stricter accountability, and improved efficiency within these councils to better address public concerns.
Over the past five years, maslikhats have gained more influence in local governance. Following the 2021 constitutional reforms and 2022 decentralisation laws, their responsibilities expanded beyond advisory roles. They now oversee budgets, approve local development plans, and directly elect rural akims (governors) since 2023. These changes formed part of Tokayev's New Kazakhstan agenda, introduced after the January 2022 unrest.
Tokayev stressed that citizens frequently raise issues during meetings with regional *akims*. He urged deputies to increase oversight and ensure these concerns are properly addressed. To improve effectiveness, he proposed revising the internal structure of *maslikhats* and streamlining their operations. The president also suggested applying a rotational principle to the chairs of *maslikhats*, limiting their tenure to two terms. Additionally, he called for stricter accountability measures, including consequences for deputies who fail in their duties or breach ethical standards.
The proposed reforms aim to clarify the powers of maslikhats and reinforce their position in local governance. If implemented, these changes would mark another step in Kazakhstan's ongoing decentralisation efforts, ensuring councils play a more active and transparent role in addressing community needs.
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