Kazakhstan President forms new government

11 January 2022


President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on the new composition of the government of the republic.


Earlier he appointed Alikhan Smailov, who had previously served as first deputy prime minister, as prime minister.


Some members of the previous Cabinet of Ministers kept their posts, and some of them were promoted.


Former Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister Yeraly Tugzhanov remained in his previous position. A similar post was given to Bakhyt Sultanov, who also retained the post of Minister of Trade and Integration.


Askar Umarov, former deputy head of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of Kazakhstan, Kanat Musin, former head of the Judicial Board for Administrative Affairs of the Supreme Court, became the head of the Ministry of Justice, and Azhar Giniyat, former deputy minister, will be in charge of the Ministry of Health.


The Ministry of Industry and Infrastructural Development was headed by former First Deputy Head Kairbek Uskenbayev, and the Ministry of Culture and Sports by former First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Dauren Abayev. Alibek Kuantyrov, a former deputy minister, became the minister of the national economy.


Minister of Finance Yerulan Zhamaubayev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Bagdat Musin, Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Serikkali Brekeshev, and Minister of Education and Science Askhat Aymagambetov retained their positions.


In addition, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Serik Shamkenov and Minister of Emergency Situations Yuri Ilyin remained in their former positions.


Mass protests began in the early days of 2022 - residents of Zhanaozen and Aktau in the west of the country protested against a twofold increase in the price of liquefied petroleum gas. Later, the actions spread to other cities, including Almaty. People took to the streets, clashes with security forces and looting began.


On January 5, Tokayev dismissed the government and ordered the regulation of fuel prices, but the unrest continued. He also chaired the Security Council, at the first meeting of which he called the situation "undermining the integrity of the state. In addition, the country's president appealed to the CSTO for help. The organization decided to send a collective peacekeeping force to normalize the situation. They will be responsible for the protection of strategically important objects.


On January 7, the president said that terrorists, including those from abroad, continue their resistance and promised to destroy those who will not lay down their arms. In addition, he noted that all the demands of citizens expressed in peaceful forms were heard.


A state of emergency is in effect on the whole territory of the republic until January 19, and the authorities are clearing the areas from the instigators of the actions.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Creative Commons

Based on materials from RIA Novosti