The Evolution of Kazakhstan’s Constitution: Transformation Since 1991

Abstract

This article examines the development of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan from the final years of the Soviet Union to the present day. It traces the constitutional transition from Soviet-era constitutionalism through the early post-independence period and the adoption of the 1995 Constitution, which established a strong presidential system. Particular attention is paid to the role of constitutional amendments as instruments of political and institutional management, as well as to the gradual evolution of governance structures through controlled reform. The article also analyses the constitutional implications of leadership transition and the 2022 constitutional reforms, assessing whether these changes represent a substantive shift toward enhanced constitutionalism or a continuation of incremental adaptation. Through a legal-historical and comparative approach, the article argues that Kazakhstan’s constitutional development has been characterised by continuity, stability-oriented design, and pragmatic reform rather than abrupt constitutional rupture. The study concludes that constitutional change in Kazakhstan remains an ongoing process shaped by both legal norms and political practice.