President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has appointed Yerlan Karin, his first deputy head of administration, to the role of Vice President. The presidential decree, published on August 31, states: “Appoint Karin Yerlan Tynymbayuly as Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, relieving him of his previous post.”
Tokayev personally endorsed Karin’s candidacy. On Monday morning, 141 deputies of Kazakhstan’s Kurultai (its unicameral parliament) approved the nomination.
In a separate move, Tokayev reassigned Olzhas Bektenov to the position of Prime Minister. This change allows Bektenov to retain his role, which he has held since February 2024. The Kurultai voted in favor of Bektenov’s appointment with 137 deputies.
Karin brings extensive experience in Kazakhstan’s political and analytical spheres and public administration. He began his career in journalism and academia before leading research centers, serving as an adviser to the akim (local governor) of Mangystau region, and heading the internal policy department of the presidential administration. Subsequently, he held roles including secretary of the Nur Otan Party, Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, Secretary of State, and State Adviser. Since June 30, he has served as First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration.
Bektenov, meanwhile, has a background in legal, anti-corruption, and management structures. He worked in justice authorities, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Presidential Administration, financial police, and led the anti-corruption service from 2022 onward. In 2023, Bektenov became head of the Presidential Administration, a position he has held since February 2024 as Prime Minister.
Additionally, on August 28, Aybek Dadebai—former head of the Presidential Administration and leader of the Adilet party that won the election—was elected chairman of the Kurultai. His candidacy received support from 144 deputies (with one ballot declared invalid). Tokayev had proposed Dadebai for this role at the opening of the first session of Parliament.
The Adilet party, formed in recent years and aligned with the current government, secured 71.17% of votes in Kurultai elections on August 24, totaling 6,528,948 ballots cast. The party won a majority while Auyl (6.26%), Respublica (5.56%), Ak Zhol (5.21%), and the National Social Democratic Party (OSDP) (5.11%) also entered parliament.
On August 28, Tokayev signed a decree on the resignation of the government, instructing the Cabinet of Ministers to continue functioning until new department heads are appointed in accordance with constitutional provisions under Article 69 of Kazakhstan’s Constitution and Article 4 of its Constitutional Law on Government.
