KZBlog

The session of Parliament started at 10am today (Wednesday the 10th) to name the new PM has resulted for the moment. So far there is only anti-climatic news from yesterday evening.

The Party NurOtan has chosen a candidate, and the Parliament voted to approve that candidate. Who is it? That is a secret. Now, presumably the Parliament had not yet voted officially by the time of the article, but since NurOtan holds an overwhelming majority in the Parliament of about 90%, they have likely already gurarenteed their votes.

In a press-conference last night, the only thing NurOtan would say is that the new Prime Minister of Kazakhstan will be a strong leader and an economist:

Azimbek Zholshibekov, HEAD OF PARLIAMENTARY BLOCK OF NUROTAN
“There will be continuity. But a new, higher level is necessary….Tomorrow the president will give the name; as is his preogative

Baktyzhan Zhumagulov, ACTING CHAIRMAN OF NUROTAN:
“That is enough; this is a briefing.”

translation mine

How’s that for not saying anything? Clearly though NurOtan’s power is showing through. Subsuming other parties, signing agreements with parties and organizations in other countries, choosing a new name, they are for the first time being consulted about who the new PM is, and apparently making the decision. It seems that the tool for carrying on after Nazarbayev’s presidency has already been chosen.

I also must say it is a relief to see for the first time on TV journalists running after politicans, asking for comments, and generally badgering people in power. Usually we see only planned press-conferences and official statements.

UPDATE: Zona.kz was already reporting last night that the decree to nominate Massimov is already in the works. Kazakhstan Today is also reporting that Massimov was named in the meeting with the President and NurOtan leaders yesterday.