Kazakhstan renames capital back to Astana

The Kazakh parliament has approved in the first reading amendments to the national constitution on the seven-year presidential term and renaming of the capital back to Astana on Friday.

The bill is now set to be signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Kazakhstan's president is currently elected for a term of five years. The same person cannot be elected president of the republic more than two times in a row.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed on September 1 to limit the term of a presidential mandate in the country to seven years without the right to re-election. This proposal is being reviewed by governmental bodies.

Tokayev signed a decree in May that scheduled the referendum on constitutional amendments for early June. Over 77% of voters supported the political reforms of transforming Kazakhstan from a super-presidential republic to presidential and strengthening the role of the country's parliament.