Erlan Karin appointed vice president of Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Erlan Karin vice president of the Republic of Kazakhstan, relieving him of his previous post as Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration.
The corresponding decree signed by the Head of State was published on his official website.

“Appoint Erlan Tynymbayuly Karin vice president of the Republic of Kazakhstan, relieving him of his previous position,” reads the presidential decree dated August 31.

Earlier this morning, Kurultai deputies convened to approve nominees for the posts of vice president and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. The Head of State nominated Erlan Karin for the vice presidency.

“The vice president will play a special role, work closely with Kurultai deputies and exercise powers defined by the Constitution. In this regard, I propose the candidacy of Erlan Karin. He is a well-known statesman who has worked in public service for many years. He has extensive experience, and you know him very well. For many years, he has made a significant contribution to the development of our country. Therefore, I consider him a worthy candidate and ask Kurultai deputies to support his candidacy,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

The deputies supported the candidate proposed by the President.
Tokayev previously said on August 23, the day of the Kurultai election, that the country’s vice president would be a well-known person familiar to Kazakhstanis.
Vice president post in Kazakhstan
The office of vice president was established under the new Constitution adopted in a referendum on March 15, 2026. In January, speaking at the fifth meeting of the National Kurultai, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the President himself would appoint the vice president and determine the scope of the officeholder’s powers.
At the same time, the Head of State announced that the post of State Counselor would be abolished. Erlan Karin held that position at the time.
Who can become vice president
Under the constitutional law, the vice president is appointed by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the consent of the Kurultai, expressed by a majority vote of the total number of its deputies.
The vice president of Kazakhstan must be a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan by birth, at least 40 years old, fluent in the state language, have lived in Kazakhstan for the past 15 years and hold a higher education degree.
Powers of the vice president of Kazakhstan
At the instruction of the President, the vice president represents the President in interactions with the Kurultai, the government and other state bodies, and also exercises other powers assigned by the President.
While in office, the vice president may not be elected as a deputy of a representative body, hold other paid positions, engage in business activities or be a member of a political party.
Termination of the vice president’s powers
The powers of the vice president of Kazakhstan are terminated in the following cases:

submission of a resignation request;
a decision by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to dismiss the vice president from office;
termination of Kazakhstan citizenship or acquisition of a residence permit or another document confirming the right to permanent residence in a foreign country;
entry into force of a guilty verdict against the vice president;
being declared legally incapacitated or having legal capacity restricted by a court ruling that has entered into force;
being declared missing by a court ruling that has entered into force;
death or being declared deceased by a court ruling that has entered into force;
other grounds provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Within 20 days of the termination of the vice president’s powers, the President must submit a new candidate to the Kurultai for approval.
If this period falls during the temporary absence of the Kurultai due to the early termination of its powers, or between Kurultai sessions, the President must submit the nominee within 20 days from the start of the Kurultai’s work or the opening of its next session, respectively.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the constitutional law “On the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” which, among other things, defines the legal status of the vice president, on June 5.
The first session of the first convocation of the Kurultai opened in Astana on August 28. Immediately afterward, Kazakhstan’s government resigned.