Eduard Poletaev: "Reform of Kazakh political system is of permanent character"

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced his intention to delegate some of his powers to the nation's parliament and cabinet. The role of the president is supposed to be transformed into a "supreme arbiter". The draft law on amendments and additions to the Constitution has already been prepared. It is planned to be presented to the public discussion until February 26. The political expert and editor-in-chief of the Mir Yevrazii magazine, Eduard Poletayev, told Vestnik Kavkaza about the amendments to the Constitution.

- According to your assessment, why did they propose to delegate significant powers, including the appointment of members of the Cabinet, from the president to the parliament?

- The proposed amendments are not radical. There are several reasons. The current reform of the political system is being implemented faster due to external circumstances. The president said about it last year. Guide and control the political process is the key challenge of presidential power, ie a system that was built in Kazakhstan. The value of this system has increased every year. The government has expanded its commitment and responsibility, according to the numerous laws, which have been adopted in recent years, according to new threats and challenges, which occurred in Kazakhstan and around it.

The increase of terrorist threats and the corresponding tightening of legislation was a good example. Society has become more complex and demanding. Social networks appeared. People began to actively express their opinions, needs, because the world has become more open and accessible. A huge number of tasks forced to change the dynamics of the executive power's work. And what does an ordinary person expect from the power? Effective economic and social programs, responsibility for the execution of these programs, which should meet the needs of people.

These changes are also necessary, given the low oil price, which is the main export product of Kazakhstan, against the background of changes in the tax laws, which are being implemented from the beginning of 2017. People need housing, education, jobs, decent wages, and all these socio-economic indicators, of course, would be better received and implemented, if specific performers in the Cabinet were responsible for them.

The president remains responsible for strategic key areas (security, defense, foreign policy and an overall control of the situation), while specific persons in the government will be responsible for the necessary reforms. In my opinion, personalization of the responsibility is more effective. The responsibility for the actions of the President must be divided between the members of his team.

- How will the new constitution change the political life in Kazakhstan?

- I do not see any opportunity for drastic changes, though they have already started to talk about the dissolution of parliament, early elections. It is not expected. There is just the second session of the new parliament, which was elected last year. There will be no referendum on the constitution as well. The amendments will be approved by the Commission, the Majilis must approve them during the current session. Yes, there will be a broad public discussion in February, the media will be full of discussion of these amendments. It is a mechanism, tested on other initiatives of the President.

The most important thing now is to test a new mechanism. That is, the Parliament will adopt the amendments, but I do not think that the reform of the political system will be limited by only this redistribution, it is of a permanent character - they are looking for the best models, forms, hewing something, if something does not work - they stop. In practice, the area of responsibility and the executive power is harder and wider than its definition implies. There are certain difficulties in the area of future relations between the parliament and the government, where almost everyone are members of the ruling 'Nur Otan party. There are many people in the Majilis and the Senate who moved there from the executive power. Difficulties may arise while testing the working moments. Though I must admit that the president has already rallied his team and we should not expect surprises from its members. The representatives of both the legislature and the executive powers will sink into their roles.