KZBlog

Opposition party Nagyz Ak Zhol has changed its name to Azat, which means freedom in Kazakh. The party has also changed its leadership structure. Before the 29th of February, the party was led by a three co-chairs, Bolat Abilov, Tolegen Zhukeyev and Oraz Zhandosov. Now Abilov is the sole chair, unanimously in. Zhukeyev was elected secretary-general and Zhandosov it is widely believed will become deputy leader and focus on the economic platform of the party.

Nagyz Ak Zhol was founded in 2005 by Abilov, Zhukeyev Zhandosov, and Altynbek Sarsenbayev (who was murdered 2 years ago) when it split from the Ak Zhol party, led by Alikhan Baymenov who ran for President in the last election. Ak Zhol means “White Path” and “Nagyz Ak Zhol” means “True White Path” because the founders felt that the Ak Zhol party was too soft on the current administration and too willing to compromise and enter into dialogue.

However the similarity of the two names was confusing for voters and the antagonistic subtext of the name made it hard to work together with Ak Zhol and other opposition parties.

With Nurotan holding 100% of seats in Parliament and with the President as leader, many in the opposition are struggling to find a strategy that will make their voices heard in Kazakhstan.

Azat was also the name of an independence movement during the Soviet period, founded in 1990.