Yerlan Karin becomes Kazakhstan's Vice-President, a post created by the new Constitution

21 October 2026

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed Yerlan Karin, aged 50, as Vice-President of Kazakhstan by decree on 31 August. The Kurultai gave its consent to the appointment earlier the same day. Karin had been first deputy head of the presidential administration, and had earlier served as adviser, aide and State Counsellor. The post of Vice-President was created by the Constitution adopted at a referendum, which took effect on 1 July. Under it the President appoints the Vice-President with the consent of a majority of the members of the Kurultai. The Vice-President represents the President in dealings with the Kurultai, the government and other state agencies, and takes over the President's powers until an election if the President leaves office early.