THE CONSTITUTIONAL STATUS AND ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT OF KAZAKHSTAN IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS: “A NEW MILESTONE IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT” OR THE PRESERVATION OF THE PREVIOUS MODEL?

In 2019–2023, a series of reforms were implemented in Kazakhstan, affecting the highest bodies of state power, including the presidency. This raises several research questions: Can the political situation in Kazakhstan (2019–2022) be characterized as dual power or tandem? What led to the tandem’s collapse? Have the president’s constitutional status and powers changed? Has the president’s role in the political process shifted? Can we speak of a transformation in the model of the presidency? Objective: to identify changes in the presidential model in Kazakhstan (2019–2023) based on analysis of the formal and actual powers of the president and the First President – Leader of the Nation (Elbasy). Results: The form-of-government index remained stable (+5). According to the M.S. Shugart–J. Carey methodology, the form of government remained in the same sector. The dominant-party system persisted, evidenced by a slight rise in the effective number of parliamentary parties and a significant increase in the disproportionality index. The president’s full control over the government and parliament was maintained. Despite reforms, the previous presidential model was preserved: strong institutionalization of the presidency, broad formal powers, low political competitiveness, a dominant party under presidential control, and a compliant parliament. The key change was the removal of the Leader of the Nation institution from the political system.