Kazakh Leader Calls for Snap Presidential Election
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for an early presidential election on Nov. 20, according to a decree published by his office.
Facts
- Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for an early presidential election on Nov. 20, according to a decree published by his office.
- Per the country's Central Election Commission, the nomination of presidential candidates begins on Sept. 23 and concludes on Oct. 11.
- Tokayev announced his intent to call an election earlier in September. The vote, which he is projected to win, would shorten his first term but permit a more extended second term per a recent constitutional reform.
- Tokayev signed legislation less than a week before the election announcement changing the presidential term system from a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms to a single seven-year term. Future presidents would be forbidden from pursuing more than one term.
- Tokayev stated that these reforms are “launching an electoral cycle that will radically reset the whole political system." This news came after the name of Kazakhstan's capital was recently changed from Nur-Sultan back to Astana per Tokayev's decree.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Astana Times, EURACTIV, RFERL, and Alarabiya.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Astana Times. This snap election has the potential to renew credibility and public trust in key Kazakh institutions. With the promise of the election being fair, open, and highly participatory, there is a chance that it will allow a fresh start for the Central Asian nation and its political system.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Eurasianet. Any changes from the previous system in Kazakhstan are cosmetic, with the state still likely to be run by relatives and cronies of the ruling elite, including Tokayev. Despite structural reforms, it's unlikely that the power structure of Astana will change significantly.
