Kazakh Leader Calls for Snap Presidential Election

Published SEP 22 2022

Story

Image credit: euractiv

The Facts

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for an early presidential election on Nov. 20, according to a decree published by his office.
Al Jazeera
Per the country's Central Election Commission, the nomination of presidential candidates begins on Sept. 23 and concludes on Oct. 11.
The Astana Times
Tokayev announced his intent to call an election earlier in September. The vote, which he is projected to win, would shorten his first term but permit a more extended second term per a recent constitutional reform.
Euractiv
Tokayev signed legislation less than a week before the election announcement changing the presidential term system from a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms to a single seven-year term. Future presidents would be forbidden from pursuing more than one term.
RadioFreeEurope
Tokayev stated that these reforms are “launching an electoral cycle that will radically reset the whole political system." This news came after the name of Kazakhstan's capital was recently changed from Nur-Sultan back to Astana per Tokayev's decree.
Al Arabiya English

Sources Split

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RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

This snap election has the potential to renew credibility and public trust in key Kazakh institutions. With the promise of the election being fair, open, and highly participatory, there is a chance that it will allow a fresh start for the Central Asian nation and its political system.

The Astana Times

Establishment-critical narrative

Any changes from the previous system in Kazakhstan are cosmetic, with the state still likely to be run by relatives and cronies of the ruling elite, including Tokayev. Despite structural reforms, it's unlikely that the power structure of Astana will change significantly.