Polls open in Kazakhstan for its first presidential election since longtime leader Nursultan Nazarbayev stepped down
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who became acting president, is seen as certain to beat the six other candidates.
Yet with his 78-year-old predecessor continuing to pull the strings despite a shock retirement in March, Tokayev looks set to be that rare phenomenon in ex-Soviet Central Asia – a president content to play second fiddle. But when he signed off from his presidential role with a surprise speech on national television in March, he gave a ringing endorsement to Tokayev, who as Senate speaker automatically became the interim leader.He is an honest, responsible and dependable person," Nazarbayev said.
Had Nazarbayev been unable to fulfil his presidential duties at any point during these two periods, Tokayev stood next in line for office under the constitution.Chinese speaker, top UN role He has nevertheless remained a low-key figure for much of his career and has been at pains to portray himself as modern and communicative in recent weeks, making his debut on Instagram and admitting to issuing presidential orders via WhatsApp.Nazarbayev's foreign-based political nemesis Mukhtar Ablyazov once memorably likened him to furniture that "emits a squeak when it is moved around".
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The latest potential Fed pick, a former Trump campaign adviser, says it would be ‘superficial’ for her to say whether the central bank is independentTrump’s potential Federal Reserve pick says it would be ‘superficial’ for her to answer yes or no on whether the central bank is independent
Read more »
2 former state senators found dead in Arkansas and Oklahoma within daysIn Arkansas, a fatal shooting of former Republican state Sen. Linda Collins-Smith is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said. In Oklahoma, former state Sen. Jonathan Nichols was found dead from a gunshot in his home, according to police.
Read more »
Former Labor Secretary says Trump's trade war, tariffs could send U.S. into a recession'You could easily find the American economy in a recession, certainly before the election,' Robert Reich said during an appearance on MSNBC Friday.
Read more »
U.S. Open: Jason Day will use Tiger Woods' former caddie, report says
Read more »
New subpoena for Roger Stone's former aide offers glimpse at ongoing investigationA former aide to Roger Stone has turned over to a grand jury all of his text messages with Stone between October 2016 and March 2017, as well as the written agenda for Stone while he was at the Republican National Convention in 2016
Read more »
‘You have to kill the bear’: Dems attack as Biden stumblesAfter a week of fumbles, it’s open season on the former vice president.
Read more »