Nazarbayev resigns while retaining power: looking ahead

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - Report 03 Apr 2019 by Alex Teddy and Alexei Panin

On March 19, Nursultan Nazarbayev announced on TV his resignation from the position of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kassym-Jomart Tokaev, speaker of the Senate, will temporarily fulfill the functions of the President. Tokaev’s previous position, second in the Constitutional hierarchy, was taken the next day by Nazarbayev’s eldest daughter, Dariga.

In 2017 Nazarbayev appointed himself the Chairmanship of the Security Council for life. In May 2018, the Parliament approved a law transforming the Security Council into a Constitutional body. The Security Council now effectively oversees defense policy as well as key appointments for mayors and local government.

As ‘Leader of the Nation’ (Elbasy) since 2010, Nazarbayev has a host of privileges, immunity and the right to speak to the Parliament, to head the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, to be a member of the Constitutional Council and to make proposals to the government. The law even effectively prohibits anyone from refusing Nazarbayev’s addresses to the Senate.

In addition, Nazarbayev will still lead Nur Otan, the ruling political party in a system with no real legal opposition.

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