8th Mäjilis

The Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan of the 8th convocation (Сегізінші шақырылған Қазақстан Республикасы Парламенті; Парламент Республики Казахстан восьмого созыва) is the current convocation of the Parliament of Kazakhstan.

Following the 2023 legislative election to the lower house Mäjilis, where the composition of the parliament was determined through mixed-member majoritarian representation for the first time since 2004, a total of 98 Mäjilis deputies were elected with 69 from party-list proportional representation and 29 representing the newly reestablished single-mandate territorial constituencies. Since the 3rd Mäjilis, more than three parties had managed to overcome the 5% electoral threshold, leading to the Mäjilis consisting of six parties forming their own factions.

The 8th Parliament of Kazakhstan was first convened in its plenary session on 29 March 2023, under a presidential decree briefly signed by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Leadership
The leadership consisted of the Bureau of the Mäjilis, a coordinating body formed under the Chairman of the Mäjilis. The bureau includes deputy chairmen, chairmen of the standing committees, as well as heads of parliamentary factions of political parties represented in the Mäjilis.

The first plenary session of the new Mäjilis convocation is opened and chaired by the chairman of the Central Election Commission (Nurlan Äbdirov) until a Mäjilis Chairman is elected, who opens, conducts and closes plenary sessions of the chamber. The chairman of Mäjilis is accompanied by deputy chairmen who perform his or her individual functions.

Chairmanship election
Erlan Qoşanov's chairmanship was endorsed by Amanat deputy Baktykozha Izmukhambetov during the opening convocation of the 8th Mäjilis. His candidature was unimously supported by all factions, thus making running uncontested to the post. In a subsequent parliamentary vote, Qoşanov was officially re-elected as the chairman of Mäjilis from all present 98 votes.

Factions
Six parties managed to overcome the 5% electoral threshold, thus being able to form their own factions. Seven independents elected from single-member districts (including two deputies affiliated with Amanat) served as part of unaffiliated caucus.

Committees
The formation of committees and their leaderships were determined by the newly elected deputies during the first meeting in the first plenary session of the 8th Mäjilis on 29 March 2023.

Members
The newly-elected 8th Mäjilis composition included 80 men (81.6%) and 18 women (18.4%). The average age of a member is 48 years old (as of March 2023). Under 35 years old – 12 members; from 35 to 59 years old – 69 members; over 60 years – 17 members. The 8th Mäjilis also included 34 members from previous convocations. Overall, the members represent various fields of activity: civil service, business, non-governmental organizations, education, medicine, etc. The national composition of the 8th Mäjilis is represented by various ethnic groups including Kazakhs, Russians, Germans, Belarusians, and Azerbaijanis.

Leadership
Much like its lower house Mäjilis counterpart, the leadership consists of the Bureau of the Senate, a coordinating body formed under the Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan. The Bureau includes deputy chairmen and chairmen of the standing committees of the Senate.

The Senate chairman is elected from among the Senate deputies by secret ballot during a Senate meeting in a majority vote. Nominated by the President, the Senate chairman manages Senate sessions, oversees issue preparation, and presents candidates for various positions. They also ensure compliance with Senate rules, coordinate Senate activities, and appoint judges and members of key commissions. The Senate chairman is supported by deputy chairmen who, on their behalf, fulfill their individual duties and handle assigned tasks.

Members
The 8th Senate term commenced with its first session on 29 March 2023. Members consisted of senators elected in 2020 and 2023, alongside those appointed by the President of Kazakhstan in 2022 and 2023, all continuing their terms.