Alexei Vlasov, exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
The dismissal of the Kazakhstan government was no surprise for Kazakhstan experts. Kazakhstan is such a wonderful country that every month one can predict a staff reshuffle in any department from the presidential administration to the parliament.
The most longsighted analysts predicted dismissal of the government since December 2013, but it happened only in early April. In fact it could never happen, as the head of the Cabinet Serik Ahmetov didn’t take any great steps, but didn’t make awful mistakes as well. He was a decent prime minister for a country which strives to be in top-30 of competitive countries of the world.
However, Nursultan Nazarbayev decided that it is time for changes. Moreover, he didn’t hesitate with appointment of a new prime minister. The new head of the Cabinet is Karim Masimov. The circle has been closed. For years Karim Masimov, Marat Tazhin, Kayrat Kelimbetov, Krymbek Kusherbayev, and many other Kazakh top officials are shuffled by President within one circle. To get out of the circle, one should do something extraordinary, but even in this case he will be appointed an ambassador in Croatia. In this situation Masimov’s return to the Cabinet is restoration of historic justice. It’s like Crimea’s joining Russia. Kazakhstan has seen no more appropriate prime minister than Karim Masimov. On the other hand, it doesn’t matter how his position is called, he will play a role of Masimov under President. It is a case when it is not the places that grace the men, but men the places. Such a status belongs to Nurtay Abykayev only and no one else.
So, it is pointless to discuss why Massimov was appointed. The question is why now? What will happen with the position of the Secretary of State?
The situation is unclear, at least at the moment. Could Baglan Maylybayev take a higher position? Isn’t it easier for Nazarbayev to eliminate the position of the Secretary of State and focus the ideological issue in hands of his administration? Probably, Serik Ahmetov will become the head of the presidential administration, which won’t influence quality of the work in this direction. Nazarbayev has taught “soldiers of the party” that they could be demanded at any moment in any role. The other question is whether changes in economic policy will take place. If economic predictions are negative and foreign political risks are growing, yes, they need no technocrat, but a keen politician at the premier’s position. This is Karim Masimov.
