Expert on post-Nazarbayev Kazakhstan's prospects

Kazakh media are now discussing a recent statement by the Muslim Union of Kazakhstan. The organization urged President Nursultan Nazarbayev to present his position on the country's future. In other words, the Muslim Union asked the president to point out his 'successor' as Russian leaders do. VK asked Andrey Chebotaryov, a Kazakh political analyst, to comment on the issue.

"The current political system in based on Nazarbayev's personal power," the expert says.

"There are no mechanisms of the polical system's changing. That is why kazakhstan future seems unclear," he explains

"May be the best way out is gradual democratization. This means that the country first of all will need an effective parliament. Now the parliament plays only symbolic functions," Chebotaryov says.

"Still almost everything depends on Nazarbayev's decision," the expert concludes.