Lahore ChronicleLahore Chronicle
  • News
  • Global News
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Russia
      • Ukraine
      • Turkey
      • Balkans
      • Nordic States
    • North America
    • Middle East
      • Saudi Arabia
      • UAE
      • Qatar
      • Israel
      • Lebanon
      • Oman
    • Africa
      • North Africa
        • Sahel
        • Egypt
      • Central Africa
      • South Africa
    • Asia
      • China
      • Sri Lanka
      • India
      • South Korea
      • North Korea
      • Bangladesh
      • Indonesia
      • Afghanistan
      • Pakistan
    • South America
  • Defence
  • Economy
  • Op-ed
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

Administrative Hurdles for Nepal’s Integrated Social Registry

June 1, 2023

Maryam Nawaz Gets ‘Tandoor’ as Electoral Symbol for Punjab Polls

May 31, 2023

Prices of Medicines to Be Increased by 20pc After Recent Hike as Economic Crisis Worsens

May 30, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Administrative Hurdles for Nepal’s Integrated Social Registry
  • Maryam Nawaz Gets ‘Tandoor’ as Electoral Symbol for Punjab Polls
  • Prices of Medicines to Be Increased by 20pc After Recent Hike as Economic Crisis Worsens
  • ‘People of Pakistan Are Central to State’s Unity and Nothing Sacred Than Masses Safety’: Army Chief
  • ECC Allows Renting Out PIA-owned Roosevelt Hotel in New York
  • SBP Rejects Rumours of Discontinuation of Rs75 Banknote
  • PM Shehbaz Expresses Satisfaction Over Record Wheat Production
  • April Inflation May Hit Historic 38%
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Lahore ChronicleLahore Chronicle
  • News
  • Global News
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Russia
      • Ukraine
      • Turkey
      • Balkans
      • Nordic States
    • North America
    • Middle East
      • Saudi Arabia
      • UAE
      • Qatar
      • Israel
      • Lebanon
      • Oman
    • Africa
      • North Africa
        • Sahel
        • Egypt
      • Central Africa
      • South Africa
    • Asia
      • China
      • Sri Lanka
      • India
      • South Korea
      • North Korea
      • Bangladesh
      • Indonesia
      • Afghanistan
      • Pakistan
    • South America
  • Defence
  • Economy
  • Op-ed
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Lahore ChronicleLahore Chronicle
Home » New Kazakhstan, New Democracy
Central Asia

New Kazakhstan, New Democracy

By Jimmie MannApril 2, 2023No Comments9 Views
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email


(9/3 – 125)

Kazakhstan is gearing up for snap elections of the lower house of parliament on March 19, and there is a sense of anticipation in the air. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who came to power in 2019, called for snap elections in the wake of the deadly street protests in January 2022. The elections are part of the president’s ambitious reform agenda, Jana Kazakhstan (New Kazakhstan), which aims to usher in a new era of political liberalization.

Kazakhstan is gearing up for snap elections of the lower house of parliament on March 19 as part of the President Tokayev’s ambitious reform agenda, Jana Kazakhstan (New Kazakhstan)

The parliamentary elections are stage two of Tokayev’s program, following his re-election winning 80 percent of the votes last November. The coming elections will see 70 percent of the country´s lawmakers elected through party lists, while the remaining seats will be contested in single-member districts. While it has become easier to register a new political party on paper, there are concerns that the Justice Ministry is still rejecting applications from anyone critical of the government. Party registration remains difficult, especially for anyone critical of the government, and this has raised concerns about the potential for a “pocket parliament” controlled by the presidential administration.

Despite these concerns, a couple of parties have made it through the registration process, becoming the first new parties to be registered in two decades. The Respublica party, led by once-apolitical businessman Beibit Alibekov, has been approved and supports advancing Tokayev’s Jana Kazakhstan agenda. The Baitak party bills itself as a green party, but its leader, Azamatkhan Amirtayev, has faced criticism for taking the side of officials in a dispute with eco-activists over plans to drain a local lake.

Legacy parties from the Nazarbayev era, such as Amanat (formerly Nur Otan), are not looking as strong as they once did, with the ultimate loyalties of these parties far from certain. The rural interests Auyl (Village) party and the National Social Democratic Party, or OSDP, are also contesting, but the OSDP is recently considered a spent force.

Despite the challenges, there is a sense of hope amongst the people that the lower house parliamentary elections will pave the way for a more democratic Kazakhstan. Tokayev has made it clear that he wants to build a new Kazakhstan, free from the corrupt cronyism that prevailed in the Nazarbayev era. The president’s sweeping reform agenda includes political liberalization and the elections are an important step in that direction.

The people of Kazakhstan are eagerly awaiting the results of the elections and are hoping that they will mark a turning point in the country’s history. “It is important for Tokayev that new personalities appear in the Majilis who are going to participate in the construction of a New Kazakhstan while also respecting the political rules established by the authorities,” Tolganay Umbetaliyeva, Director General of the Central Asian Foundation for Democracy, said.

With new parties emerging and the potential for change on the horizon, there is reason to be optimistic about the future of democracy in Kazakhstan. By doing so, Kazakhstan can take a major step towards a more democratic future. The government must ensure that the elections are free and fair, and that all parties and candidates have an equal chance to participate. Political observers are cautiously optimistic but point out the big bear in the room, Russia. The question how the regime in Moscow will react to the liberalization moves remains a riddle.

Amanat Baitak Jana Kazakhstan Kazakhstan New Kazakhstan Nur Otan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev regional parliament majlis Respublica
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Telegram Email
Jimmie Mann

Related Posts

Administrative Hurdles for Nepal’s Integrated Social Registry

June 1, 2023

Maryam Nawaz Gets ‘Tandoor’ as Electoral Symbol for Punjab Polls

May 31, 2023

Prices of Medicines to Be Increased by 20pc After Recent Hike as Economic Crisis Worsens

May 30, 2023
Demo
Top Posts

Kazakhstan, India Jointly Build New Ferroalloy Plant

January 26, 202322

Kenes Rakishev and Monnet Group to build a new plant in Kazakhstan

January 13, 202321

Tajikistan regime’s crimes against humanity

December 24, 202218

New Kazakhstan, New Democracy

April 2, 20239
Don't Miss
Economy

Administrative Hurdles for Nepal’s Integrated Social Registry

By Javier RamirezJune 1, 20230

Governments worldwide have used Social Protection Programmes (SPPs) to strategically assist marginalised and vulnerable citizens…

Maryam Nawaz Gets ‘Tandoor’ as Electoral Symbol for Punjab Polls

May 31, 2023

Prices of Medicines to Be Increased by 20pc After Recent Hike as Economic Crisis Worsens

May 30, 2023

‘People of Pakistan Are Central to State’s Unity and Nothing Sacred Than Masses Safety’: Army Chief

May 29, 2023
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from SmartMag about art & design.

Demo
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us
  • Creative Commons
© 2023 Lahore Chronicle

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.