KZBlog

Category archive for ‘Politics’

• Image

  I am constantly amused by the way Kazakhstan government officials choose to portray themselves when a scandal breaks. For example, when rumors started spreading that President Nazarbayev was having surgery in Germany recently, government officials answered by saying he was on vacation and no one knew where he was. The government was, quite understandably, trying [...]

  7/28/11 • (1)

• Sub Rosa Endorsement

  The article everyone is talking about today is Yermukhamet Yertysbayev’s interview with Russian newspaper, Kommersant in which he stated that Timur Kulibayev will replace President Nazarbayev if something should happen. The interview covers a lot of recent controversies, and was pretty clearly designed to allay concerns about some of the machinations in Astana, such as [...]

  7/26/11 • (1)

• The Naked Truth

  This is one way to promote a new website: Guljan Yergaliyeva, who resigned as editor of the Svoboda Slova newspaper in January in protest against government repression of the media, particularly during the push to pass a referendum to extend the President’s term until 2020, has launched a new media site Guljan. As a symbol [...]

  6/12/11 • (1)

• Richest Man in Kazakhstan?

  Apparently it could be Bulat Utermuratov, former advisor to the President, and former chief of staff. Forbes estimates he is worth US$1 billion but a bit of market dealing may make him $2 billion richer. Glencore, a private Switzerland-based commodities trader, the biggest company you’ve never heard of, is a joint owner of KazZinc with [...]

  5/14/11 • (0)

• More Western Interference in Central Asia

  Ferghana news reports that the Duma discussed preventing revolutions in Central Asia. In a closed session, members of the Russian parliament identified the possibility of popular uprisings or “North African syndrome” as a potential security threat to Russia. According to the report, Nadezhda Gerasimova, deputy chairperson of the Duma, believes that the best way to [...]

  4/16/11 • (0)

• Old Team

  The reshuffle appears to be over. Most Ministers and Akims were reappointed. Kazahstan Today lists the ministers who kept their jobs: Adilbek Dzhaksybekov – Minister of Defence Askar Zhumagaliyev – Minister of Communications and Information Bakhytzhan Zhumagulov – Minister of Education and Science Salidat Kairbekova – Minister of Health Gulshara Abdykalikova – Minister of Labour [...]

  4/14/11 • (0)

• When One Becomes Two

  “Revolution from above” may be the buzzword of the 2012 Parliamentary campaign, unless they are held early. Yermukhamet Yertysbayev has been talking about having a second party in Parliament for bit now. It appears that the plan is to split NurOtan into two parties with one part representing politicians and the government and one part [...]

  4/13/11 • (0)

• New Team

  News is coming out in trickles. Masimov’s blog only announces that he has proposed a new Cabinet and it has been approved by the President: “The new ministers will be presented soon.” But Reuters reports that Kairat Kelimbetov has been named Minister of the Economy, leaving his position as head of Samruk-Kazyna Holding wide open. [...]

  4/11/11 • (2)

• A Transparent PM

  Prime Minister Karim Masimov announced the other day that he is setting up a new section on his blog to rate the effectiveness of government workers. It isn’t clear exactly what role the blog will play in this or what he will put up, but as of yet the transparency section, as Masimov is calling [...]

  4/09/11 • (2)

• The Inauguration and the New Government

  The inauguration was apparently the place to be today; even the candidates who ran against Nazarbayev attended. In his speech, the President thanked the people for reelecting him and listed the world leaders who had congratulated him on his victory (conspicuously absent from the list were Obama, Ban-Ki Moon and Cameron). He also claimed that [...]

  4/08/11 • (0)

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