“Страна будет зависеть от одного человека. Это страшно”

Amangeldy Taspikhov served as a member of the Senate and Majilis from 2024 to 2007, and is well-versed in the workings of the government system. Based on his experience drafting legislation, he is very surprised by the way the draft of the new Constitution, whose fate will be decided in a referendum this Sunday, was prepared. He is also amazed by the speed and energy with which the government is preparing for the referendum. "I spoke with several members of the akimat. I can tell you – none of them have read the text of the proposed draft Constitution. And that's the case for everyone in government. But everyone says they're for the new Constitution. It's a complete indifference." “When I was a member of parliament, there was more freedom in parliament. We opposed many of the proposals made by the presidential administration and the government. We rejected the proposal to establish two-million-ruble pensions for us, members of parliament. We opposed the introduction of mandatory membership dues to the Atameken Chamber of Entrepreneurs. We were more lively, freer. And even when we were leaving, I said that we should erect a monument in the square in the form of 77 frightened bunnies. Being a member of parliament is internal freedom. But the kind of oversight over members of parliament that was later established didn't exist during our time. And now they're proposing to select members of parliament based on party lists. But there's no competition between the parties. The government will simply become even more disconnected from the people. What direction will the new Constitution give the country, you ask? Everything will be subordinated to one person. That's scary. What kind of person was Nazarbayev in the beginning? The most democratic. And then he became a monster.” Ural Week - http://www.uralskweek.kz/, follow us: Telegram: https://t.me/uralskweek_official Instagram:   / uralsk_week_media   VKontakte: https://vk.com/public25018942 Facebook:   / uralskweek