Kazakh Parliament Elects Dadebay as Chair

Kazakhstan's new unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, elected Aibek Dadebay as its speaker on August 28. The 46-year-old leader of the Adilet party was the nominee of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and received almost unanimous support from the 145 elected parliamentarians.

Adilet holds 110 seats in the new legislature after winning 71.17 percent of the vote in the August 23 parliamentary election, a result that can be contextualized by reviewing historical standings. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which observed the election, stated that Adilet's victory was secured due to an unfair advantage that blurred the line between the party and the Kazakh state.

The Rise of Adilet and Dadebay

Adilet is a relatively new party, founded in May. Its power was immensely boosted just two months later when the long-dominant Amanat party, which had led Kazakh politics for over two decades, decided to merge with it. This merger was seen as a way to maintain Amanat's organizational structures while distancing from its historic connections to former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. This shift was considered necessary after the chaos of the January 2022 events, known as Qandy Qantar or Bloody January.

Aibek Dadebay's career has been shaped by Tokayev, with whom he has worked since 2013. He is an academic and diplomat who worked in the presidential administration after the 2022 events. He advanced to become head of that administration before being relieved of the post on May 5. He was elected chairman of Adilet just two days later. Catherine Putz of The Diplomat previously described Adilet as "parroting the existing president's platform."

Presidential Mandate for Parliament

Speaking at the Kurultai's opening session, President Tokayev outlined the parliament's main tasks. He said Adilet "bears great responsibility." He stated the parliament must "consolidate society around common interests and become a driving force for reform." Most importantly, Tokayev said it must "serve the interests of the state."

Tokayev advocated for Dadebay's appointment as speaker, calling him an "educated, patriotic, and responsible citizen." The subsequent vote delivered the president both a widely pro-presidential parliament and a long-term confidant to oversee its work, a dynamic that will be crucial for upcoming legislative fixtures.

Consolidating Executive Appointments

The new political alignment has secured a swift procedure for appointing key governmental figures. On August 31, Tokayev named his longtime close advisor, Erlan Karin, to the new vice presidential post. He also reappointed Olzhas Bektenov as prime minister, a role Bektenov has held since February 2024.

While Kazakh law prohibits the president from being a member of a political party, the election and subsequent appointments show Tokayev's confidants hold central power. The president now has a loyal parliament and a trusted ally leading it, solidifying a political squad aligned with his agenda.