Following a presidential election lacking any political surprises, Astana watchers were hoping for a bit of excitement over the appointment of the new government. Rumors of a broom sweeping through the dusty corridors of power were confounded, however, when newly re-elected President Nursultan Nazarbayev re-appointed Karim Masimov as prime minister.
Masimov resigned on April 8 along with the entire cabinet in a post-election formality. He was immediately re-appointed and approved the same day in a rapid-fire vote by the rubber stamp parliament. Masimov is Kazakhstan's longest-serving premier. His appointment is a renewed vote of confidence from Nazarbayev in his stewardship, and a sign that the president trusts his political loyalty.
Observers had been keenly watching to see who’d get the plum job of heading the cabinet. They were hoping for a clue about the succession plans of Kazakhstan’s aging president, who’ll turn 71 in July. But now they’ve still been left guessing - is Masimov’s re-appointment a sign that Nazarbayev favors him as successor, or is it an indication that he’s holding his cards close to his chest and keeping Masimov in place until the time’s ripe to maneuver a potential successor into the prominent position later?
Whatever the case, all pundits interested in the only political intrigue that matters in Kazakhstan -- who’ll follow Nazarbayev as president -- will be watching to see who’s up and who’s down as the rest of the cabinet’s named. Masimov has 10 days to announce the appointments, which, it goes without saying, will all be overseen by the man at the top.
Joanna Lillis is a journalist based in Almaty and author of Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan.
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