Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Party Politics: Dynamics, Strategies and Global Trends, Recep Gulmez, Editör, Nova Science Publishers, Inc, New York, ss.1-20, 2025
Abstract
Following Kazakhstan’s independence,
numerous political parties emerged, evolving through amalgamation, closure, and
consolidation. Among them, the party established by the first president has
endured as notably resilient. However, the trajectory altered significantly
with the events of “Bloody January” in 2022, delineating a distinct “pre-” and
“post-” phase in Kazakhstan’s history. These events precipitated profound
transformations within the government and civil society of the young nation.
In response to the turmoil and internal
strife, troops from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) were
deployed into Kazakhstan. The decision to intervene remains a subject of
deliberation both domestically and internationally. Nevertheless, an
unequivocal outcome is evident: despite abstaining from military engagement,
CSTO forces played a pivotal role in reinstating constitutional order within
Kazakhstan.
Since the onset of the January events,
discussions have centered on the conflict between elites, characterized as a
struggle between Kazakhstan’s first president and its current leader. Despite
initial denials, subsequent developments - including the curtailment of
privileges for the former president and his family - suggest otherwise. Actions
such as the removal of the “elbasy” status, criticism of past leadership by
President Tokayev, and the transfer of assets from Nazarbayev’s relatives to
state ownership reflect significant political and economic shifts, laying the
groundwork for a “New Kazakhstan.”
These changes have impacted various sectors,
particularly political reforms. The previous emphasis on “economy first, then
politics,” advocated by Nazarbayev, has been supplanted. President Tokayev has
undertaken reforms in political spheres, notably reducing presidential powers,
enhancing parliamentary rights and authority, amending the Constitution,
conducting a referendum, and implementing numerous domestic political
initiatives.
Founded by the first president in 1999, the
Otan Party was renamed Nur Otan in 2006. The party’s name was changed again in
2022, reflecting the founder’s new direction. The evolution of party building
in Kazakhstan is clearly visible through the example of the ruling party. With
the initiation of political reforms in Kazakhstan, President Tokayev not only
renamed the party but also left it; he is now officially non-partisan. Despite
this, the ruling party, now called “Amanat,” remains the main political force
in the country. In the lower house of Kazakhstan’s bicameral parliament, the
Majilis, “Amanat” holds the majority, while the other parties have not
presented serious competition on any issues to date.
The political transformation of independent
Kazakhstan will be examined through the prism of the ruling party from its
inception to the present. The development of party building in Kazakhstan
serves as a litmus test, reflecting societal development, the relationship
between society and government, and the dynamics among the ruling elites.
Keywords: Kazakhstan, political transformation, “Bloody January,” Nur-Otan, Amanat