Tag
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
![Nurseit Niyazbekov on Kazakhstan’s Tumultuous 2022 Nurseit Niyazbekov on Kazakhstan’s Tumultuous 2022](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-10-18-132824.jpg)
Nurseit Niyazbekov on Kazakhstan’s Tumultuous 2022
By Catherine Putz
It’s been a challenging year for Kazakhstan: Domestic unrest, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a constitutional referendum, and now a snap presidential election.
![Kazakhstan Headed for Election Lacking Competition Kazakhstan Headed for Election Lacking Competition](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-10-06-100900.jpg)
Kazakhstan Headed for Election Lacking Competition
By Catherine Putz
As usual, there will be multiple names on the ballot come November 20 but only one real choice.
![Kazakh President Urges Calm and Care for Russians Fleeing Mobilization Kazakh President Urges Calm and Care for Russians Fleeing Mobilization](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-02-22-142520.jpg)
Kazakh President Urges Calm and Care for Russians Fleeing Mobilization
By Catherine Putz
“We must take care of them and ensure their safety. This is a political and humanitarian issue,” Kazakh President Tokayev said of the influx of Russians.
![Kazakhstan Continues to Break Ranks With Russia Kazakhstan Continues to Break Ranks With Russia](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-09-22-151932.jpg)
Kazakhstan Continues to Break Ranks With Russia
By Wilder Alejandro Sánchez
The not-so-subtle criticism of the Russian government regarding Ukraine in Kazakh President Tokayev’s UNGA speech should not be overlooked.
![Nur-Sultan No More and Kazakh Tinkering With Presidential Terms Nur-Sultan No More and Kazakh Tinkering With Presidential Terms](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-33490930156_898af27616_z.jpg)
Nur-Sultan No More and Kazakh Tinkering With Presidential Terms
By Catherine Putz
Kazakhstan is to introduce a single seven-year presidential term and revert the capital’s name to “Astana.”
![Kazakh Opposition Organizing Against Snap Elections Kazakh Opposition Organizing Against Snap Elections](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2021-08-31-7.jpg)
Kazakh Opposition Organizing Against Snap Elections
By Catherine Putz
Although no date has been set, Kazakhstan’s likely imminent presidential election has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures.
![Kazakh Leader Calls for Snap Presidential Election Kazakh Leader Calls for Snap Presidential Election](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-09-01-140956.jpg)
Kazakh Leader Calls for Snap Presidential Election
By Catherine Putz
The Kazakh president, whose constitutional referendum this summer aimed to bring about a "New" Kazakhstan, has moved, rhetorically, on to speaking of a “Just” Kazakhstan.
![What Happened at the Latest Central Asian Leaders’ Meeting? What Happened at the Latest Central Asian Leaders’ Meeting?](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-07-22-155605.jpg)
What Happened at the Latest Central Asian Leaders’ Meeting?
By Aizada Nuriddenova
The world has changed profoundly since the last Central Asian Consultative Meeting, yet the new regional grouping carries on.
![Is There a New Kazakhstan? Is There a New Kazakhstan?](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-06-28-172301.jpg)
Is There a New Kazakhstan?
By Bruce Pannier
Not yet, despite the president’s repeated assertions otherwise.
![Tokayev Downplays January CSTO Deployment to Kazakhstan Tokayev Downplays January CSTO Deployment to Kazakhstan](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-06-15-124245.jpg)
Tokayev Downplays January CSTO Deployment to Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
In a recent interview, the Kazakh president again pushed back against those in Russia who say Moscow "saved" Kazakhstan in January.
![Kazakhstan Leaves ‘Elbasy’ Behind, Approves Constitutional Referendum Kazakhstan Leaves ‘Elbasy’ Behind, Approves Constitutional Referendum](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-06-06-142026.jpg)
Kazakhstan Leaves ‘Elbasy’ Behind, Approves Constitutional Referendum
By Catherine Putz
With 77 percent voting to approve constitutional changes that nix the "leader of the nation," Nazarbayev's star has truly faded in Kazakhstan.
![What’s in Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum? What’s in Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum?](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat-2020-11-10-8.jpg)
What’s in Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum?
By Colleen Wood
On June 5, Kazakhs will vote on a package of reforms intended to transform the country from a super-presidential system to a “presidential system with a strong parliament."