Kazakhstan: Nazarbaev sailing toward reelection as his presidency hits quarter century
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakhstan: Nazarbaev sailing toward reelection as his presidency hits quarter century, 24 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba3412.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 24, 2015
By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service
Kazakh President and presidential candidate Nursultan Nazarbaev applauds as he attends a session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan in Astana on April 23.
ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has completed his 25th year as president, two days before an election that appears certain to prolong his rule.
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev appointed Nazarbaev as the Kazakh Communist Party's First Secretary in 1989, and on April 24, 1990 his title was changed to President of Kazakhstan.
Nazarbaev was then elected in December 1991, shortly before Kazakhstan became an independent state. In 1995, his term was prolonged until 2000 through a referendum. He then won an early presidential election in 1999, a poll in 2005 and another early election in 2011.
Kazakhstan's next presidential election had been scheduled for 2016, but the vote was moved up to April 26 after a national assembly chaired by Nazarbaev decided it should be held early to "ensure the continuity of the current policy."
Nazarbaev's critics say he has maintained power by oppressing dissent, curbing free media, and "illegally" changing the Central Asian nation's constitution.
Many of his opponents and critics had to leave the country. Some have been killed or died in controversial circumstances.
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