Kazakhstan’s Parliament Approves First Vice President Since 1996

Kazakhstan has restored the office of vice president for the first time in 30 years, with the new Kurultai approving Yerlan Karin for the post.

Karin’s nomination by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev won the support of 141 of the parliament’s 145 deputies. Tokayev met leaders of the parties that entered parliament after the legislative election before submitting the nomination.

The position disappeared in 1996 and returned under the Constitution adopted in March. The Constitution allows the vice president to perform the head of state’s duties if the president resigns early, becomes permanently unable to serve for health reasons, is removed from office or dies.

Karin, 50, trained as a history and geography teacher before earning a doctorate in political science and philosophy. He has led a political research agency, advised a prime minister and worked in Kazakhstan’s presidential administration.

The Kurultai was elected on August 23 and has 145 deputies. The governing Adilet party won 110 seats after receiving 71.17% of the vote. Aul won 10 seats, Respublica won nine, and Ak Zhol and the National Social Democratic Party each won eight.