Who Will Be Able To Create New Regions In Kazakhstan? Parliament Defines Powers

Kazakhstan’s parliament has adopted in the first reading a draft constitutional law on the country’s administrative-territorial structure. The document was developed in line with the new Constitution, Orda.kz reports.

The bill defines Kazakhstan’s administrative-territorial units, how they can be created, transformed, or abolished, and what powers state bodies would receive.

The document sets out the categories of settlements. These include cities at all levels, as well as villages and settlements regardless of their administrative subordination.

The bill also separates powers between the president, the government, and local authorities.

The government would submit proposals to the president on these issues. It would also be able to establish and change the borders of the capital, regions, and cities of republican significance.

Local representative and executive bodies would receive powers over the status of settlements and villages, their administrative subordination, and the approval or change of their borders.

The bill also sets requirements for the status of cities, villages, and settlements. Lawmakers say this should prevent unjustified changes to the status of settlements. Such decisions are expected to take socio-economic indicators and residents’ opinions into account.

Separately, the document sets out the procedure for assigning and changing the names of administrative-territorial units. The borders of settlements would be established or changed based on master plans or development schemes.

Original author: Ilya Astakhov

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