Kazhegeldin added that the discussion process of the Constitution shows a lack of respect for human rights, which, according to him, are "completely swept aside" in the articles of the new document, leading to a concentration of power in the hands of one person. "People can endure, but for that, they need to be provided for," he said.
The politician also noted that in democracies, elections allow for correcting mistakes, but in Kazakhstan, such an opportunity does not exist, and the only way out may be protest. "The situation in the country has remained unstable throughout the 21st century," Kazhegeldin added.
We decided to highlight the most interesting points from his interview regarding the new Constitution and the upcoming referendum.
On the reasons for adopting a new Constitution
Kazhegeldin pointed out the haste with which the process of discussing the new Constitution is being conducted. Citizens are given only four weeks for discussion, while public proposals are prohibited. "This indicates the presence of two main tasks: to close the protracted power transition and to take care of their own transition," he noted.
President Tokayev has repeatedly stated that he will only propose amendments to the Constitution in 2027, implying the abolition of the Senate and the introduction of the position of vice president, appointed by the president. This, according to Kazhegeldin, indicates a further strengthening of power.
In his opinion, the haste is related to the fear that has arisen because the previous head of state deprived Tokayev of independence in governance. "This protracted story has led to bloodshed. Haste is needed to close the doors to the past and start thinking about the future," he added.
People do not respect the current Constitution, and if the new one contains only formal measures, it will not work, just as the previous one did not. The main problems of the authorities are related to global challenges, such as budget deficits and rising inflation. If the authorities do not cope with these challenges, they will lose the support of the people.
"I doubt that the new Constitution will last longer than its predecessor. A new generation of politicians will create a new fundamental law in the future," he concluded.
On the pros and cons of the Constitution draft
Kazhegeldin pointed out the lack of significant positive changes in the draft of the new Constitution. "This is a classic model, where human rights rhetoric in the preamble coexists with authoritarian mechanisms," he noted. "The people working on the draft did not pay attention to the institutional problems it may cause." The people, according to him, will temporarily delegate their powers to the president, which raises doubts about the democratic structure of the country.
"The draft was developed by non-professionals, which raises serious questions about its quality," the politician added.
On whether Tokayev will leave the presidency
Kazhegeldin also commented on rumors that Tokayev may be seeking the position of UN Secretary-General or wants to transfer power. "From a physiological point of view, it will be difficult for him to remain in power, given the pressure he is facing," he said.
According to Kazhegeldin, Tokayev does not have the resources to ease the lives of citizens, and he has faced opposition from state bodies. "The president has not established control over finances, which creates additional difficulties for him," he emphasized.
The future vice president, in his opinion, will not be a guarantee of stability, and everything will depend on the economic situation in the country.
On the possibility of the "Nazarbayev family" returning to power
Kazhegeldin noted that the new Constitution is considered "pro-Tokayev" only partially, as it implies a unicameral parliament and control over it. "This means that the doors for Nazarbayev and his family are closing," he concluded.
The recording of Akzhan Kazhegeldin's opinion on the new Constitution of Kyrgyzstan was first published on K-News.
