The government of Kazakhstan resigned
“In accordance with Article 70 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I decide: to accept the resignation of the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to assign the temporary duties of prime minister to Sklyar Roman Vasilyevich, and members of the government to continue to perform their duties until the approval of the new composition of the government,” Tokayev’s resolution says. The document comes into force from the date of its signing.
The Government of Kazakhstan has been headed by Alikhan Smailov since January 11, 2022. The reason for the resignation is not specified. Roman Sklyar previously served as First Deputy Prime Minister.
On February 7, an extended government meeting will be held in Astana, chaired by Tokayev. According to the President of Kazakhstan, at the meeting the results of the socio-economic development of the republic will be summed up and tactics for further actions in this direction will be determined.
According to the Kazinform agency, Smailov’s cabinet has repeatedly faced criticism after large-scale heating problems in 2022, four major mine accidents and fires that killed dozens of people.
The previous government resignation followed elections to the Majilis, the lower house of parliament, in March 2023. As a result of the voting, six of the seven parties registered in the republic got there. The ruling party “Amanat” received the majority of votes (53.9%), and the People’s Democratic Patriotic Party “Auyl” was in second place with a large lag (10.9%). Elections to the Majilis were held ahead of schedule as part of the final stage of reforms announced by Tokayev after mass protests in Kazakhstan in January 2022.
In September 2023, Tokayev carried out massive personnel changes in the government:
Marat Karabaev, who has headed the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development since January 2023, became the Minister of Transport; Arman Shakkaliev was appointed Minister of Trade and Integration of the country instead of Serik Zhumangarin; ex-akim (governor) of the Akmola region Ermek Marzhikpayev became the head of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; The Ministry of Culture and Information was headed by Aida Balaeva; Yerzhan Sadenov became the Minister of Internal Affairs of the republic instead of Marat Akhmetzhanov; Svetlana Zhakupova replaced Tamara Duisenova as Minister of Labor. At the same time, Tokayev signed a decree “On measures to further improve the public administration system,” according to which five new ministries appeared in Kazakhstan - the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and Information, and the Ministry of Industry and Construction.
