Difference between revisions of "2007 Kazakh political shakeup"

Latest revision as of 15:45, 27 April 2025

Template:Politics of KazakhstanThe Kazakh political change in hierarchy of 2007 began on 8 January 2007 when Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov unexpectedly resigned and ended with the Senate's confirmation of Karim Masimov as his replacement on 11 January. Akhmetov did not say why he resigned, but political analysts noted increasing criticism from President Nursultan Nazarbayev of his oversight of the economy.<ref name=MASIMOV>Template:Cite web</ref>

Appointments

Kanat Saudabayev, Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United States, became the secretary of the Kazakh Security Council, replacing Marat Tazhin.<ref name=SAUD>Saudabayev appointed Kazakh Security Council secretary Interfax</ref> Tazhin became the Foreign Minister, replacing Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.<ref name=FM>Kazakhstan to remain committed to multifaceted foreign policy - Nazarbayev Template:Webarchive Interfax</ref> Tokayev became the Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, replacing Nurtai Abykayev. Abykayev became Kazakhstan's ambassador to Russia,<ref name=ABYKAYEV>New government formed in Kazakhstan RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty</ref> a position he previously held from January 2002–2003,<ref name=PREVIOUS>Kazakhstan: Abikayev is suddenly the number-two man RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty</ref> replacing Zhanseit Tuymenbayev. Tuymenbayev became the Education and Science Minister, replacing Byrganym Aytimova.<ref name=ZHAN>Nurtai Abykayev appointed Kazakh Ambassador to Russia ITAR-TASS</ref><ref name=REPLACEMENTS>President of Kazakhstan forming cabinet, AzerTaj</ref> Aytimova became Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United Nations.<ref name=AYTIM>Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan under the UN delivered credentials to UN Secretary-General Kazinform</ref>

President Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed Economy Minister Aslan Musin to Deputy Prime Minister, replacing Karim Masimov. Masimov replaced Daniyal Akhmetov as Prime Minister. Akhmetov replaced Mukhtar Altynbayev as Defense Minister. President Nazarbayev demoted Altynbayev to Deputy Minister of Defense. Galym Orazbakov replaced Vladimir Shkolnik as the Minister of Industry and Trade.<ref name=REPLACEMENTS/> Yerbol Orynbayev, a close aide to Nazarbayev, became Masimov's chief-of-staff.<ref name=ANALYSIS>A political shake-up in Kazakhstan strengthens presidential authority EurasiaNet</ref> Shkolnick became the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President.<ref name=SHKOLNICK>First Civilian Defense Minister, New Heads of Education, Industry and Trade, and Emergency Situations Embassy of Kazakhstan to the USA and Canada</ref>

Effects

Foreign Minister Tazhin said Kazakhstan would continue "to pursue a multi-vector policy governed by the economic and political interests of our country," but Prime Minister Masimov is expected to take Kazakhstan's foreign policy farther in the direction of China based on his past political service and education background. Joanna Lillis of EurasiaNet has speculated that the shuffle may be tied to Kazakhstan's campaign to chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2009.<ref name=ANALYSIS/>

The lingering scandals over the suspicious deaths and trials of opposition leaders Altynbek Sarsenbayev and Zamanbek Nurkadilov had little impact on the shakeup as Interior Minister Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov, who received a considerable amount of criticism, maintained his position.<ref name=ANALYSIS/>

References

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