Kazakh parliament approves new parliament

The new Kazakh Parliament has given a vote of confidence in the government of Karim Masimov, Chairman of the Lower Chamber of Parliament Nurlan Nigmatulin said.

Dariga Nazarbayeva, the older daughter of President Nursultan Nazarbayev and member of Nur Otan, has become Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee for Social and Cultural Development.

Kazakhstan held off-year parliamentary polls on January 15. Nur Otan of President Nazarbayev, the Democratic Party “Ak Zhol” and the Communist Party entered the parliament. The parties got 98 out of 107 parliamentary seats. The rest were taken by people elected by the Kazakh People’s Assembly. Nur Otan got 83 mandates, Ak Zhol – 8, Communists – 7.

According to the law, the new prime minister has a confidence vote for the government. Positive vote will allow the new government to work, unless the president has a different decision.

Vestnik Kavkaza forecasted the events earlier. Leonid Gusev, a scientists of the Institute for International Studies of MGIMO, said that Masimov is a reliable prime minister, suiting the Kazakh elite.

Alexander Karavayev, Deputy Director General of the Center for Information and Analysis of the MGU, political analyst, said that Masimov has good chances to take up the position. Timur Kulibayev, head of the Foundation for National Welfare “Samruk-Kazyn” and head of the Presidential Administration Aslan Musin were the other two candidates. Timur Kulibayev was dismissed after the incidents in Janaozen. Musin’s fate was less clear.