BY EWNETU YINEGER
In modern international relations, there are not so many examples of decisive actions by the leadership of countries aimed at deep transformations of the political and economic systems of their state. In a situation of acute geopolitical turbulence, Kazakhstan, like Ethiopia, demonstrates decisive steps towards gradual modernization in order to ensure its independent and sustainable development in the long term.
The new formula of the state system
Today, Kazakhstan is probably the only country in its geopolitical environment conducting such deep reforms that set a new development trend. Let’s remember that with the coming to power in 2019, President K.Tokayev promotes democratic changes in the state structure to achieve the formula «a strong President – an influential Parliament – an accountable Government».
Since then, Kazakhstan has been going through the most important stage of its development, having embarked on a large-scale transformation of all government institutions. Over the past few years, five electoral campaigns have been held, including a national referendum on changing 1/3 of the Constitution, Senate elections, elections to the Mazhilis of Parliament, as well as presidential elections in November 2022. At the beginning of this year, the Constitutional Court was created, where any citizen of the country can apply.
New Parliament
Most recently, on March 19, 2023, in accordance with the updated Constitution, competitive parliamentary elections were held, as a result of which 6 parties were elected to parliament for the first time since 1995, and now the multi-party system has significantly increased the role of parliament and its opposition bloc. In addition, the powers of deputies have expanded, the right to adopt laws has been transferred from the Senate to the Mazhilis of the Parliament. Thus, the supreme representative body has become a truly influential Parliament.
Speaking at the opening of the first plenary session of the new Parliament, K.Tokayev appealed as a «non-party political arbiter» to all political parties in the parliament. In his speech, he touched upon the main changes in the socio-political life of the country over the past year. He called on the parliamentarians to continue political reforms towards the democratization of all processes, further increasing the participation of citizens in public administration. According to him, further improvement of the political system is extremely important for the long-term prosperity of the people of Kazakhstan.
According to President Tokayev, due to the high competition, the outcome of the elections was unpredictable, and the results showed that the country had taken an important step towards becoming a real multiparty state – the new composition of the Mazhilis (the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament) reflects the full range of ideological views, thanks to large-scale political reforms and liberalization of legislation regulating the registration of parties. So, for the first time, a party that had been in opposition for a long time before now is represented in Parliament. Thus, the Kazakh society is moving towards a new civil and political culture.
Youth participation in public administration
The President focused on the active involvement of young people in public affairs, welcoming progressive-minded and educated young people with the hope that they will bring new values to society.
«Young people should appreciate this unique opportunity to work for the benefit of the country, which has created the necessary conditions for women and persons with special needs to enter the Mazhilis. The election campaign has shown that the social elevator is working and every citizen can be elected to Parliament. This is how a fair and honest society is built», – he said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on the newly elected deputies to work together in the interests of the country and noted that they face one task – to be on the «front line» every day, make decisions and bear responsibility for them before the people.
Further priorities of the State
Tokayev focused on the main priorities of the state and shared his vision of the future work of the Parliament. In particular, he called for stimulating business activity, unlocking the country’s industrial potential, reviewing approaches to infrastructure development, paying special attention to ensuring food security, improving the quality of human capital, supporting socially vulnerable categories of citizens, strengthening the human rights protection system, improving the efficiency of public administration and the quality of strategic planning.
Now the main attention of the state is shifted to solving urgent economic problems. Tokayev set specific goals and outlined priority areas of the Government’s activities for the near future. The focus of the state’s economic policy is the development of small and medium-sized businesses.
Economic tasks of the new Government
First of all, the Government is tasked with ensuring stable economic growth of at least 4% per year. The government will have to radically change the model of economic development of Kazakhstan. To do this, it is important to systematically diversify and strengthen market principles. According to the President K.Tokayev, the ultimate goal is to create a high–tech, fully self-sufficient and competitive economy.
In addition, the President of the country proposed to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as a key regional Investment Hub. According to him, serious work has been carried out over the past year in the field of demonopolization and the creation of a truly competitive environment. However, it is impossible to stop at what has been achieved, – Tokayev stressed. He instructed the Government to take systematic measures to further expand economic freedom and reduce the level of state influence on market processes.
Improving public administration and planning
President K.Tokayev called on the deputies to fulfil their election programs and promises. First of all, citizens’ trust in government institutions and their faith in positive changes will depend on this.
The President noted that civil servants play an important role in the development and implementation of reforms. Therefore, it is necessary to attract highly qualified and motivated specialists to the public service. The transition to a more harmonious, decentralized model of public service will be ensured. The electronic parliament will be able to significantly strengthen public confidence in the government.
The strategy «Kazakhstan-2050», as well as a number of other strategic documents will be revised taking into account new global trends. Thus, in achieving the key goal of reforms – improving the welfare of citizens and forming a new quality of the nation, the President of Kazakhstan relies on the priorities formulated earlier by him: the rule of law, unity of the people, social justice and domestic political stability.
Kazakhstan plays an important role in its region, primarily because of its geographical location at the junction of Europe and Asia, as well as its large mineral reserves. Equally important is the food potential of this country. Kazakhstan, as Ethiopia, is the largest landlocked country, adheres to a multi-vector and peace-loving foreign policy, and preserving unity in a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional society.
The Ethiopian Herald April 9/2023
