Kazakhstan prepares to vote in a cosmetic election
Despite promises of renewal, it is still an authoritarian state
Kazakhstan is set to hold a parliamentary election on August 23rd, described by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as a "turning point" in the nation's political landscape. This election marks a significant shift in the country's governance, with the introduction of a new constitution and a restructured parliament. The newly-formed Justice party is expected to secure a substantial majority in the new legislature, but it is essentially a reincarnation of the old ruling party that dominated Kazakhstan for decades.
Despite claims of pluralism, the political climate remains restrictive, with opposition figures facing imprisonment, travel bans, and other forms of repression. Critics argue that the election is merely a cosmetic exercise, as the ruling party retains its grip on power. This election follows the adoption of a new constitution, which President Tokayev has touted as a departure from the "super-presidential" rule of his predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
However, the new constitution still allows for Tokayev to run for a "first" term beyond his current second term, potentially enabling him to retain control of the nation.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times - World News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
