Political System of Kazakhstan

According to the Constitution, adopted at the national referendum on August 30, 1995, the Republic of Kazakhstan is a unitary state with a presidential form of government, which has three independent branches: executive, legislative and judicial. President is a head of state. On May 21, 2007 President of Kazakhstan signed a Law amending the Constitution. These changes enlarge the power of the Parliament, enhance the role of political parties, thus transforming Kazakhstan from presidential into presidential-parliamentary republic. Head of State: President Nursultan A. Nazarbayev.The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan determines the main directions of the domestic and foreign policy of the state and represents Kazakhstan within the country and in international relations. The President of the Republic is the guarantor of the unity of the people and the state power, inviolability of the Constitution, rights and freedoms of an individual and citizen. Legislative Branch: Kazakhstan has a bicameral Parliament, which consists of the Senate (the upper house) and Majilis (House of Representative).

The 47-member Senate is made up of two elected representatives from each of Kazakhstan's 14 regions, cities of Astana and Almaty. Representatives serve terms of two, four or six years. Several members of the Senate represent the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. The Senate is empowered to adopt laws in the period of temporal absence of the Majilis or due to termination of its tenure. Chairman of the Senate Mr. Kassym Jomart Tokayev. 98 members of the Majilis are elected in accordance with the proportional electoral system (party lists), 9 – by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan in order to take into account the interests of the major ethnic groups. Deputies of Majilis serve a term of six years. Chairman of the Majilis Mr.Aslan Mussin. Government is the supreme executive body of Kazakhstan. Prime-Minister, head of the Government, is appointed by the President after consultations with political fractions of the Parliament and upon approval by the majority of the members of the Mazhilis. The Prime-Minister shall represent the political party having majority in the Parliament.

Executive branch

Executive power is exercised by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Composition of the Government is formed by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in accordance with the Constitution.

Legislative branch

Legislative power is vested in the bicameral parliament. Parliament has two chambers: the Senate and the Majilis. The Senate consists of deputies: two persons from each province, city of national importance and the capital. The Majilis consists of 107 members. Member of the Parliament cannot be simultaneously a member of both chambers. The term of office of the Senate members is six years; the term of office of the Majilis members is five years.

Judicial branch

Judicial power is vested in the Constitutional Court and a system of local courts. Courts of the Republic are the Supreme Court of the Republic, local courts and other courts of the Republic, established by the legislation.

Ex.3 Mark true and false sentences:

Ex.4 Summarize the text