2007 Kazakh political shakeup

The Kazakh political change in hierarchy of 2007 began on 8 January 2007 when Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov unexpectedly resigned and ended with the Senate's confirmation of Karim Masimov as his replacement on 11 January. Akhmetov did not say why he resigned, but political analysts noted increasing criticism from President Nursultan Nazarbayev of his oversight of the economy. [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411319/956424 Kazakhstan appoints new PM] TVNZ]

Appointments

Kanat Saudabayev, Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United States, became the secretary of the Kazakh Security Council, replacing Marat Tazhin. [http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=11658497 Saudabayev appointed Kazakh Security Council secretary] Interfax] Tazhin became the Foreign Minister, replacing Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. [http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=11658475 Kazakhstan to remain committed to multifaceted foreign policy - Nazarbayev] Interfax] Tokayev became the Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, replacing Nurtai Abykayev. Abykayev became Kazakhstan's ambassador to Russia, [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/1/840800a1-fe28-4dad-9e7c-8be9ef8b0b59.html New government formed in Kazakhstan] RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty] a position he previously held from January 2002–2003, [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/03/8aaf810f-f040-44b5-9a9b-4903eecb384f.html Kazakhstan: Abikayev is suddenly the number-two man] RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty] replacing Zhanseit Tuymenbayev. Tuymenbayev became the Education and Science Minister, replacing Byrganym Aytimova. [http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11146337&PageNum=0 Nurtai Abykayev appointed Kazakh Ambassador to Russia] ITAR-TASS] [http://www.azertag.com/en/index.shtml?language=english&catid=&news_year=&news_month=&news_day=&newsid=216365&themes_viewing=&themes_page=&themeid=&news_page= President of Kazakhstan forming cabinet] AzerTaj] Aytimova became Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United Nations. [http://www.inform.kz/showarticle.php?lang=eng&id=149421 Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan under the UN delivered credentials to UN Secretary-General] Kazinform]

President Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed Economy Minister Aslan Musin to Deputy Prime Minister, replacing Karim Masimov. Masimov replaced Daniyal Akhmetov as Prime Minister. Akhmetov replaced Mukhtar Altynbayev as Defense Minister. President Nazarbayev demoted Altynbayev to Deputy Minister of Defense. Galym Orazbakov replaced Vladimir Shkolnik as the Minister of Industry and Trade. Yerbol Orynbayev, a close aide to Nazarbayev, became Masimov's chief-of-staff. [http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav011207a.shtml A political shake-up in Kazakhstan strengthens presidential authority] EurasiaNet] Shkolnick became the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President. [http://www.kazakhembus.com/011607.html First Civilian Defense Minister, New Heads of Education, Industry and Trade, and Emergency Situations] Embassy of Kazakhstan to the USA and Canada]

Effects

Foreign Minister Tazhin said Kazakhstan would continue "to pursue a multi-vector policy governed by the economic and political interests of our country," but Prime Minister Masimov is expected to take Kazakhstan's foreign policy farther in the direction of China based on his past political service and education background. Joanna Lillis of "EurasiaNet" has speculated that the shuffle may be tied to Kazakhstan's campaign to chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2009.

The lingering scandals over the suspicious deaths and trials of opposition leaders Altynbek Sarsenbayev and Zamanbek Nurkadilov had little impact on the shakeup as Interior Minister Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov, who received a considerable amount of criticism, maintained his position.

References