The Presidency of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev began on 20 March 2019, when he assumed office shortly after the resignation of long-time President Nursultan Nazarbayev; as a Senate Chairman, Tokayev became the Presidential Designate in accordance with the Constitution and would serve as an acting head of state. After declaring snap presidential elections Tokayev, endorsed by Nazarbayev, become the candidate for the ruling Nur Otan party and swept 71% of the vote in the race, thus becoming officially the 2nd president of Kazakhstan. After being inaugurated on 12 June 2019, Tokayev pledged to uphold many of Nazarbayev's previous policies, and to continue and accelerate social and political reforms.
Presidency On 9 April 2019, Tokayev announced early elections to be held on 9 June 2019. On 23 April, Tokayev became a candidate for president following his nomination by the Nur Otan party. During the campaign, Tokayev was mocked on social media for his use of photo manipulation software to erase his wrinkles and double chin from official photos. Tokayev was elected president of Kazakhstan on 9 June with 71% of the popular vote. He was congratulated by foreign heads of state such as Xi Jinping, Ilham Aliyev, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Emomali Rahmon, and Sooronbay Jeenbekov.
Domestic policies Political reforms In May 2020, Tokayev signed the laws “On the procedure for organizing and holding peaceful assemblies in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, “On introducing amendments to the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan“, “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, and “On introducing amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Political Parties”. The new laws are an important part of the measures to strengthen the state's democratic foundations, and enhance the role of civil society. In his State of the Nation Address, he emphasised that "Kazakhstan must create a multi-party system to build a modern, effective state", also saying that the ruling Nur Otan party should collaborate more with other parties.
Tokayev advocated political reforms that would promote the concept of a "state that listens" to civil society creating a constructive dialogue. Tokayev initiated the establishment of the new National Council of Public Trust to facilitate this dialogue. He also called for direct elections for the äkıms (local heads) of rural districts, townships, and villages to be held in 2021 to which he signed decree on 14 September 2020 of the implementation of National Plan of Measures which set tasks for the drafting of constitutional amendments that would allow for rural äkım direct elections as well as the development of local government and its functions. After the 2021 legislative elections which saw three of five contesting parties retain their seats in the Mazhilis, Tokayev at the opening 1st Session of the 7th Parliament proposed to reduce the electoral threshold from 7% to 5%, stating it would encourage more registered parties to participate in the future parliamentary elections as well as the vote option "Against all" to be re-included in the ballots once again. As the Parliament ratified Tokayev's proposed constitutional amendments, he signed the laws into place on 25 May 2021.
Abolition of capital punishment
Tokayev played a pivotal role in Kazakhstan's decision to abolish the death penalty, a move shaped by domestic human rights advocacy and international commitments. In December 2019, he announced the country's intention to join the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, responding to concerns raised by Kazakh human rights activists and experts during discussions at the National Council of Public Trust. He directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate the process of accession, setting the stage for legislative changes.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in 2020, Tokayev framed the decision as a step toward fulfilling "a fundamental right to life and human dignity." Shortly after, on 23 September 2020, Kazakhstan's representative to the UN, Kairat Umarov, formally signed the protocol. The Parliament ratified the document on 29 December 2020, and on 2 January 2021, Tokayev signed the decree officially abolishing the death penalty.
The move garnered international recognition, with Amnesty International's Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Marie Struthers, applauding Kazakhstan for joining "the ever-growing community of nations that have left this shameful punishment behind." Navi Pillay, President of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty (ICDP), described it as a "historic international commitment to end the death penalty during peacetime."
Climate change Tokayev expressed support for the tackling of climate change, calling it "urgent and existential." At the Climate Ambitions Summit in which was held remotely on 12 December 2020, Tokayev pledged for Kazakhstan to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 with a development and adoption of a long term development strategy to lower emissions and de-carbonisation of the economy. He said that Kazakhstan is "highly vulnerable to climate change as a landlocked and developing state" with a heavy reliant on fossil fuels and proposed for the planting for two billion trees within the country in order increase carbon absorption and curb looming desertification problems.
Corruption
Tokayev has consistently emphasized the need for strict accountability in the implementation of state programs and the responsible use of public funds. He has been vocal about the detrimental impact corruption has on the Kazakhstan's development, calling it a "direct damage to national security". As a result, he has made it clear that any acts of mismanagement or theft of public funds would be met with severe consequences. Tokayev underscored this position during government meetings, where he called for the resignation of any government minister or local administrator (äkim) whose subordinates are found guilty of corruption-related crimes. He firmly stated that resignation should be a mandatory measure, making it clear that any objection to this decision is a prerogative solely belonging to the head of state.
On 28 November 2019, Tokayev took a major step in institutionalizing his anti-corruption agenda by signing into law the "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Civil Service and Anti-Corruption Issues". This landmark legislation required government ministers and regional leaders, or äkims, to step down if corruption is uncovered within their institutions. The law sought to hold top officials accountable for the actions of their subordinates and aimed to ensure that no one in power could escape responsibility for corruption within their respective departments.
Further reinforcing his anti-corruption position, Tokayev ordered the Anti-Corruption Agency to intensify investigations into the financial mismanagement and corruption that plagued the Astana Light Metro (LRT) project. In October 2019, Tokayev instructed the agency to probe the disappearance of substantial funds allocated for the construction of the metro system, suggesting that certain city officials may have been involved in allowing individuals implicated in the scandal to flee abroad. One of the key figures in the case was Talgat Ardan, the former chief executive of the LRT project, who was issued an arrest warrant in July 2019 on charges of embezzling public funds. Tokayev asserted that the LRT project, despite the scandal, should continue, but that those responsible for the embezzlement and the cover-up must be held fully accountable.
Economy
Tokayev spoke in favour of a distribution of national income, calling it "strategically important" for the country. On 17 June 2019, he signed a decree, forming the Ministry of Trade and Integration, appointing Bakhyt Sultanov to the post which would aim to increase exports essential to economic growth and job creation. At the address to the nation, Tokayev called for an increase in the national minimum wage for the first time since 2018 from 42,500 to 60,000 ₸ starting 1 January 2022, citing the global pandemic which caused financial strain and asserted that it would lead to growth in domestic consumption. In terms of wage fund, Tokayev instructed the government to implement soft measures in encouraging businesses to raise salaries for employees by pledging for state-supported benefits.
In an interview to Bloomberg News, Tokayev announced a debt relief "for people who find themselves in very difficult circumstances", telling that his initiative would target 16% of the Kazakhstan's population. At the same time, he called for an end of government bailouts for banks, believing that the state should not be involved with the issue. That same day on 26 June 2019, he signed decree "On measures to reduce the debt burden of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan" which instructed the government and the National Bank to start the process of decommissioning unsecured consumer loans.
At the January 2020 government meeting, Tokayev set the task of forming the Centre for Analysis and Monitoring of Socio-Economic Reforms under the Presidential Administration, which would operate on a voluntary basis and later be transformed into a Presidential Reform Agency. At the same time, he called for more enforced registration of cars imported from Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), noting that auto owners themselves would be required to pay the registration fee and tax despite backlash from several car owners with Kyrgyzstani and Armenian number plates whom protested Tokayev's proposal in several cities.
On 9 March 2020, following the worsening economic situation worldwide as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, Tokayev instructed the government to form an anti-crisis plan which would fulfill "all social obligations". On 17 March, a series of packages were unveiled which aimed at easing burden for private sector by providing cheaper credit, tax incentives, cutting back on audits and promoting employment. As the pandemic progressed, inflation for goods began to grow leading to an increase in social discontent particularly in western Kazakhstan. In response to the problem, Tokayev blamed the government and the central bank for being too "powerless" and from there, urged them to reduce the inflation rate towards 2–4%, noting the surplus amount of the money supply in result of implemented anti-crisis measures.
Energy
Energy has been a key priority throughout Tokayev's presidency, as it is crucial for Kazakhstan's economic growth and national security. With the growing demand for electricity and outdated infrastructure struggling to keep up, Tokayev implemented a broad energy strategy that emphasized diversification, modernization, attracting foreign investments, and regulatory reforms.