Majilis Parliament Kazakhstan vs. Senate Parliament Kazakhstan

Attribute	Majilis Parliament Kazakhstan	Senate Parliament Kazakhstan
Number of Members	107	47
Term Length	5 years	6 years
Role	Lower House	Upper House
Selection Method	Direct Election	Indirect Election

Introduction

Kazakhstan is a country in Central Asia that has a bicameral parliamentary system. The two chambers of the parliament are the Majilis and the Senate. Each chamber has its own unique attributes and responsibilities that contribute to the overall functioning of the government. In this article, we will compare the attributes of the Majilis Parliament and the Senate Parliament in Kazakhstan.

Composition

The Majilis Parliament in Kazakhstan is the lower chamber of the parliament and consists of 107 members who are elected for a five-year term. The members of the Majilis are elected through a mixed electoral system, with 98 members elected through proportional representation and 9 members elected by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. On the other hand, the Senate Parliament in Kazakhstan is the upper chamber of the parliament and consists of 47 members. The members of the Senate are appointed by the President of Kazakhstan, with two members representing each of the 14 regions of the country and the cities of Nur-Sultan and Almaty.

Functions

The Majilis Parliament in Kazakhstan is responsible for passing laws, approving the state budget, ratifying international treaties, and overseeing the activities of the government. The Majilis also has the power to initiate legislation and hold hearings on important issues. In contrast, the Senate Parliament in Kazakhstan plays a more advisory role in the legislative process. The Senate reviews bills passed by the Majilis and can propose amendments or recommendations, but it does not have the power to initiate legislation or approve the state budget.

Term Length

Members of the Majilis Parliament in Kazakhstan are elected for a five-year term, with elections held every five years. This allows for regular turnover in the chamber and ensures that the parliament remains accountable to the people. On the other hand, members of the Senate Parliament in Kazakhstan are appointed for a six-year term. This longer term length provides stability and continuity in the upper chamber, allowing senators to develop expertise in specific policy areas and provide consistent oversight of the government.

Representation

The Majilis Parliament in Kazakhstan is designed to be more representative of the population, with members elected through a mixed electoral system that includes proportional representation. This allows for a diversity of voices and perspectives to be heard in the lower chamber. In contrast, the Senate Parliament in Kazakhstan is less representative, as members are appointed by the President rather than elected by the people. This can lead to a lack of direct accountability to the electorate and potential for political influence in the appointment process.

Decision-Making Process

The Majilis Parliament in Kazakhstan makes decisions through a process of debate, voting, and committee review. Bills must pass through multiple readings and receive majority approval from the members before becoming law. The Majilis also has the power to hold hearings and conduct investigations to gather information on important issues. On the other hand, the Senate Parliament in Kazakhstan focuses more on reviewing and providing input on legislation passed by the Majilis. The Senate can propose amendments or recommendations, but the final decision-making authority rests with the lower chamber.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Majilis Parliament and the Senate Parliament in Kazakhstan each have their own unique attributes and responsibilities that contribute to the overall functioning of the government. The Majilis is the lower chamber with elected members and more direct representation, while the Senate is the upper chamber with appointed members and a more advisory role. Both chambers play important roles in the legislative process and provide oversight of the government, ensuring that the interests of the people are represented in the decision-making process.