KZBlog

Karim Massimov was confirmed by Parliament at the new Prime Minister of Kazakhstan

UPDATE: Strangely, the President announced that Akhmetov will become Minister of Defence. Usually this is a post that does not change, and while other former-PMs serve as Ministers (Tokayev for example who was Minister of Foreign Affairs), it surely will be odd for him to report to his former deputy, particularly as no love is lost between them. Watercooler talk had expected him to move to the board of Samruk or some other well-paid and not politically key role. The other announcement is that Musin, who was made Minister of the Economy only a month or so ago, will become Deputy Prime Minister. His star is definitely rising. From city akim to Minister to Deputy Prime Minister in such a short time, particularly when he was deeply unpopular as akim and his ‘promotion’ was prompted by rioting while the President was visiting his oblast!