President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed Alikhan Smailov as Prime Minister of Kazakhstan by his decree on Tuesday, the press service of the head of state reported.
"To appoint Smailov Alikhan Askhanovich as Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan," the document reads.
Earlier, the lower house of parliament approved his candidacy. The meeting was broadcasted by the Khabar-24 television channel. Tokayev, speaking in the Majilis via video link, asked MPs to consider Smailov's candidacy for prime minister.
On January 5, amid growing protests, Tokayev accepted the resignation of the former government led by Askar Mamin. Since then ministers have continued working in an acting capacity until a new cabinet is appointed. First Deputy Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov replaced Mamin as acting prime minister.
Smailov, 49, has served as First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan since May 2020. Prior to that, he was the first deputy prime minister - minister of finance, in different years he served as minister of finance, and assistant to the president of Kazakhstan.
According to the law, the prime minister submits proposals on the structure and composition of the new government to the president within ten days after his appointment. At meetings of committees of the lower chamber of parliament, MPs must agree on the candidacies of a number of relevant ministers.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
Based on materials from TASS