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Significance
Although the timing of Nazarbayev's announcement was a surprise, a handover has been long expected and a succession plan appears to be in place. Senate speaker Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has become interim president ahead of elections due next year. A safe pair of hands, Tokayev is unlikely to become president. Nazarbayev's daughter became Senate speaker today but she too is an unlikely successor.
Impacts
A well-managed transition will cement a positive legacy for Nazarbayev at home and abroad.
During the transition, the political environment is likely to become more closed.
Tougher economic headwinds could present challenges to a government distracted by internal political change.
Keywords:
Kazakhstan,
RUCIS,
Central Asia,
China,
CIS,
Russia,
Uzbekistan,
international relations,
politics,
election,
foreign policy,
government,
policy,
social,
security,
ethnic,
family,
legislation,
opposition
© Oxford Analytica 2020. All rights reserved. This content contains general information about geopolitical, macroeconomic and social developments or (where stated) other matters. It does not contain advice or recommendations that may be relied on. Where links to external websites are provided, this does not indicate that Oxford Analytica or Emerald agree with, endorse or have checked for accuracy the contents of said sites.
2019
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