Kazakhstan holds parliamentary polls expected to cement president’s grip

Polls opened on Sunday in Kazakhstan's parliamentary elections, a vote anticipated to further consolidate President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's authority in Central Asia's largest nation. The ruling pro-presidential party Adilet is expected to secure a commanding majority, with several smaller parties supportive of Tokayev also expected to gain seats in parliament.

President Tokayev, a 73-year-old former Soviet official and Kazakh diplomat who has served since 2019, has been in power since that year. This election marks the country's inaugural vote for a new, single-chamber parliament called the Kurultai, as a result of a constitutional overhaul initiated by Tokayev in March. Following a referendum with 87% support, the two chambers of parliament were merged, granting the president the power to appoint key officials, subject to parliamentary approval.

This includes re-establishing the vice presidency. Justifying the changes, Tokayev has cited the need for swift decision-making in a rapidly changing world. Last month, the Constitutional Court ruled that the amendments effectively reset the clock on Tokayev's previous terms, allowing him to seek another seven-year term. The election arrives during a challenging economic period for Kazakhstan, with inflation reaching 10.2% in February, and tax hikes contributing to public dissatisfaction.

Authorities are wary of repeating the unrest witnessed in January 2022, when fuel price protests escalated into violence, resulting in the deaths of several protesters and police officers. In an effort to prevent such a scenario, Tokayev seeks to consolidate power by concentrating it in his own hands.