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(Albert Otkjær) (Albert Otkjær) By (https://thediplomat.com/authors/albert-otkjaer/) Albert Otkjær September 01, 2026 (Share on LinkedIn) (https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F09%2Fkazakhstans-new-parliament-appoints-tokayevs-pick-aibek-dadebay-as-chair%2F&title=Kazakhstan%E2%80%99s+New+Parliament+Appoints+Tokayev%E2%80%99s+Pick%2C+Aibek+Dadebay%2C+as+Chair) (Share on Facebook) (https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F09%2Fkazakhstans-new-parliament-appoints-tokayevs-pick-aibek-dadebay-as-chair%2F) (Share on Bluesky) (https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Kazakhstan%E2%80%99s+New+Parliament+Appoints+Tokayev%E2%80%99s+Pick%2C+Aibek+Dadebay%2C+as+Chair%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F09%2Fkazakhstans-new-parliament-appoints-tokayevs-pick-aibek-dadebay-as-chair%2F) (Share on X) (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Kazakhstan%E2%80%99s+New+Parliament+Appoints+Tokayev%E2%80%99s+Pick%2C+Aibek+Dadebay%2C+as+Chair&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F09%2Fkazakhstans-new-parliament-appoints-tokayevs-pick-aibek-dadebay-as-chair%2F) (Kazakhstan’s New Parliament Appoints Tokayev’s Pick, Aibek Dadebay, as Chair) (Kazakhstan’s New Parliament Appoints Tokayev’s Pick, Aibek Dadebay, as Chair) Credit: (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=122102629821453976&set=pb.61593619303951.-2207520000&type=3) Facebook / Kurultai (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions/) Subscribe for ads-free reading One of the first points of action when Kazakhstan’s new unicameral parliament met for the first time on August 28 was the election of its speaker from among the 145 elected parliamentarians. The choice almost unanimously fell on the leader of the Adilet party, Aibek Dadebay, who had already been nominated for the position in advance by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Adilet won more than 70 percent of the vote during the election, making it by far the largest party in the Kurultai with 110 seats. The new speaker has worked as an academic and diplomat over the past 25 years, most recently working within the country’s presidential administration. His career has been shaped by Tokayev, with whom he has worked since 2013, when the now-president (https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2026/07/kazakhstan-constitution-new-tokaev) chaired the Kazakh Senate . Despite technically being a new party in Kazakhstan, Adilet was quickly connected to other pro-presidential parties. Two months after its (https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/what-to-make-of-adilet-kazakhstans-newest-political-party/) founding congress in May , Adilet experienced an immense boost in power as the Amanat party, which had dominated Kazakh politics for over 20 years (prior to 2022 under the name Nur-Otan), (https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/with-amanat-merger-adilet-is-on-track-to-be-kazakhstans-next-ruling-party/) decided to merge with them . Besides boosting Adilet, the merger was also seen as a way to maintain the organizational structures of the senior party, while distancing it from its historic connections to former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. This was seen as necessary following the chaos that erupted in relation to the (https://timesca.com/amanat-adilet-merger-kazakhstan-new-parliament/) January 2022 events – also known as Qandy Qantar, or Bloody January . Despite already being a close associate of Tokayev, it was in the aftermath of Qandy Qantar that Dadebay began work in the central presidential administration. Within a few years, he advanced to become head of the presidential administration. He was (https://www.akorda.kz/ru/ukazom-glavy-gosudarstva-dadebay-aybek-arkabayuly-osvobozhden-ot-dolzhnosti-rukovoditelya-administracii-prezidenta-respubliki-kazahstan-v-svyazi-s-perehodom-na-druguyu-rabotu-542514) relieved of that post on May 5 ; j ust two days later, he was elected as chairman of Adilet. This decision, along with the ease with which the party was registered to run, led The Diplomat’s Catherine Putz to previously describe Adilet as “ (https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/what-to-make-of-adilet-kazakhstans-newest-political-party/) parroting the existing president’s platform .” Just as Adilet inherited many of Amanat’s structures, it also posted a similar landslide parliamentary election result, gaining (https://timesca.com/kazakhstan-kurultai-election-adilet-wins-71-percent/) 71.17 percent of the votes on August 23. The OSCE, which observed the election, (https://www.oscepa.org/en/documents/election-observation/election-observation-statements/kazakhstan/statements-13/5594-2026-parliamentary-eng-2/file) stated that this victory was secured due to an unfair advantage for Adilet that had blurred the line between the party and the Kazakh state. Tokayev said that Adilet “bears great responsibility” when he spoke at the Kurultai’s opening session, before outlining what he saw as the parliament’s main tasks during this first mandate. Key in this description was for the parliament to “consolidate society around common interests and become a driving force for reform,” and, most importantly, “serve the interests of the state,” as the (https://www.akorda.kz/ru/vystuplenie-prezidenta-kasym-zhomarta-tokaeva-na-otkrytii-pervoy-sessii-kurultaya-respubliki-kazahstan-pervogo-sozyva-2875839) president said . The outlined goal simultaneously aligned with the president’s nominee for the role of speaker, with Tokayev calling the 46-year-old Dadebay an “educated, patriotic, and responsible citizen” when (https://qazinform.com/news/kazakh-president-proposes-aibek-dadebay-as-chairman-of-qurultay-7574ce) advocating for his appointment . With the subsequent vote on Dadebay’s role as chairman turning out almost unanimously, Tokayev now stands with both a widely pro-presidential parliament and a long-term confidant overseeing its work going forward. With that, the president has also secured a (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/31/kazakhstans-president-taps-longtime-adviser-for-vice-president-role) swift procedure regarding the appointment of governmental figures, such as new prime ministers and vice presidents. On August 31, Tokayev named Erlan Karin, a longtime close advisor, to the new vice presidential post and reappointed Olzhas Bektenov to the prime ministership, which he’s held since February 2024. While Kazakh law prohibits Tokayev from (https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Kazakhstan_2026) being a member of a political party , the recent election and subsequent appointment of central positions in the new unicameral parliament have shown that the president’s confidants still hold central power. Already have an account? Log in . You have reached the limit of 2 free articles this month. Get to the bottom of the story (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions) Subscribe today and join thousands of diplomats, analysts, policy professionals and business readers who rely on The Diplomat for expert Asia-Pacific coverage. Get unlimited access to in-depth analysis you won't find anywhere else, from South China Sea tensions to ASEAN diplomacy to India-Pakistan relations. More than 5,000 articles a year. Unlimited articles and expert analysis Weekly newsletter with exclusive insights 16-year archive of diplomatic coverage Ad-free reading on all devices Support independent journalism (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions) Subscribe Now (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions) View Subscription Options Already have an account? Log in . One of the first points of action when Kazakhstan’s new unicameral parliament met for the first time on August 28 was the election of its speaker from among the 145 elected parliamentarians. The choice almost unanimously fell on the leader of the Adilet party, Aibek Dadebay, who had already been nominated for the position in advance by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Adilet won more than 70 percent of the vote during the election, making it by far the largest party in the Kurultai with 110 seats. The new speaker has worked as an academic and diplomat over the past 25 years, most recently working within the country’s presidential administration. His career has been shaped by Tokayev, with whom he has worked since 2013, when the now-president (https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2026/07/kazakhstan-constitution-new-tokaev) chaired the Kazakh Senate . Despite technically being a new party in Kazakhstan, Adilet was quickly connected to other pro-presidential parties. Two months after its (https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/what-to-make-of-adilet-kazakhstans-newest-political-party/) founding congress in May , Adilet experienced an immense boost in power as the Amanat party, which had dominated Kazakh politics for over 20 years (prior to 2022 under the name Nur-Otan), (https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/with-amanat-merger-adilet-is-on-track-to-be-kazakhstans-next-ruling-party/) decided to merge with them . Besides boosting Adilet, the merger was also seen as a way to maintain the organizational structures of the senior party, while distancing it from its historic connections to former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. This was seen as necessary following the chaos that erupted in relation to the (https://timesca.com/amanat-adilet-merger-kazakhstan-new-parliament/) January 2022 events – also known as Qandy Qantar, or Bloody January . Despite already being a close associate of Tokayev, it was in the aftermath of Qandy Qantar that Dadebay began work in the central presidential administration. Within a few years, he advanced to become head of the presidential administration. He was (https://www.akorda.kz/ru/ukazom-glavy-gosudarstva-dadebay-aybek-arkabayuly-osvobozhden-ot-dolzhnosti-rukovoditelya-administracii-prezidenta-respubliki-kazahstan-v-svyazi-s-perehodom-na-druguyu-rabotu-542514) relieved of that post on May 5 ; j ust two days later, he was elected as chairman of Adilet. This decision, along with the ease with which the party was registered to run, led The Diplomat’s Catherine Putz to previously describe Adilet as “ (https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/what-to-make-of-adilet-kazakhstans-newest-political-party/) parroting the existing president’s platform .” Just as Adilet inherited many of Amanat’s structures, it also posted a similar landslide parliamentary election result, gaining (https://timesca.com/kazakhstan-kurultai-election-adilet-wins-71-percent/) 71.17 percent of the votes on August 23. The OSCE, which observed the election, (https://www.oscepa.org/en/documents/election-observation/election-observation-statements/kazakhstan/statements-13/5594-2026-parliamentary-eng-2/file) stated that this victory was secured due to an unfair advantage for Adilet that had blurred the line between the party and the Kazakh state. Tokayev said that Adilet “bears great responsibility” when he spoke at the Kurultai’s opening session, before outlining what he saw as the parliament’s main tasks during this first mandate. Key in this description was for the parliament to “consolidate society around common interests and become a driving force for reform,” and, most importantly, “serve the interests of the state,” as the (https://www.akorda.kz/ru/vystuplenie-prezidenta-kasym-zhomarta-tokaeva-na-otkrytii-pervoy-sessii-kurultaya-respubliki-kazahstan-pervogo-sozyva-2875839) president said . The outlined goal simultaneously aligned with the president’s nominee for the role of speaker, with Tokayev calling the 46-year-old Dadebay an “educated, patriotic, and responsible citizen” when (https://qazinform.com/news/kazakh-president-proposes-aibek-dadebay-as-chairman-of-qurultay-7574ce) advocating for his appointment . With the subsequent vote on Dadebay’s role as chairman turning out almost unanimously, Tokayev now stands with both a widely pro-presidential parliament and a long-term confidant overseeing its work going forward. With that, the president has also secured a (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/31/kazakhstans-president-taps-longtime-adviser-for-vice-president-role) swift procedure regarding the appointment of governmental figures, such as new prime ministers and vice presidents. On August 31, Tokayev named Erlan Karin, a longtime close advisor, to the new vice presidential post and reappointed Olzhas Bektenov to the prime ministership, which he’s held since February 2024. While Kazakh law prohibits Tokayev from (https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Kazakhstan_2026) being a member of a political party , the recent election and subsequent appointment of central positions in the new unicameral parliament have shown that the president’s confidants still hold central power. Authors (Albert Otkjær) (Albert Otkjær) Contributing Author Albert Otkjær Albert Otkjær is a journalist focusing on post-Soviet countries. 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(Was Abe Shinzo an Idealist?) Was Abe Shinzo an Idealist? Advertisement Diplomat Brief Weekly Newsletter Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific. (https://thediplomat.com/newsletter/) Get the Newsletter Advertisement Related (https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/with-amanat-merger-adilet-is-on-track-to-be-kazakhstans-next-ruling-party/) (With Amanat Merger, Adilet Is on Track to Be Kazakhstan’s Next Ruling Party) (With Amanat Merger, Adilet Is on Track to Be Kazakhstan’s Next Ruling Party) With Amanat Merger, Adilet Is on Track to Be Kazakhstan’s Next Ruling Party By Catherine Putz The merger is the latest step in the consolidation – or rebranding – of power under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The names change; the system stays the same. 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