Kazakhstan PM Resigns - Political Forum

CHUQ · 01-09-2007, 06:17 AM

This will not be popular thread right now, but keep in mind the country is becoming a major player in the oil and gas field. Also has the US support its pres needs to retain power.

Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov has resigned, government officials and web sites said.

No reason was given for the resignation, which will force the whole Cabinet to step down.

The prime minister's office is much less powerful than the presidency, which Nursultan Nazarbayev has held since 1990.

Mr Nazarbayev has developed the country into an increasingly important supplier of oil and gas to the West

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Kazakhstan PM resigns office

Brother Oz · 01-09-2007, 06:34 AM

It won't make a lot of difference, as Nazarbayev is the one in charge. The PM just does admin stuff. Maybe Nazarbayev decided he wanted someone better.

Tumbleweed · 01-09-2007, 02:04 PM

I thought Sacha Baron Cohen was the prime minister.

I found this artical that stated that Nazarbayev routinely replaces his prime ministers which makes this latest replacement seem to be the norm.

Story

Nazarbayev has ruled for 17 years, resisting democratic reforms. He regularly replaces his prime ministers, as he tries to secure his position and balance interests of powerful elite groups.

Akhmetov was seen to be linked to the country's largest industrial and financial group, Eurasian Group, which controls much of metal and mining sectors in the mineral-rich nation.

Brother Oz · 01-09-2007, 02:29 PM

All the elections under him have been considered heavily influenced if not rigged. And he always gets at least 80% of the vote.
To be honest, he'd probably win fair elections, as the economy has done extremely well under him, average growth is 9% a year, which is better than India. Although political opponents are harrassed, they're not carried off and tortured. It's not a police state.

Tumbleweed · 01-09-2007, 02:32 PM

I think Nazarbayev retains power by murdering his opposition. Considering he got over 90% of the votes I'd say the elections were at least questionable.

Brother Oz · 01-09-2007, 03:52 PM

Really? I haven't heard any accounts of him murdering people.

WEB, that's the reason why Russia has 2 term limits. But once you've got a dictator, he isn't going to introduce them! Plus, dictators often remove such limits.

Tumbleweed · 01-09-2007, 06:05 PM

Prominent opposition leaders Zamanbek Nurkadylov and Altynbek Sarsenbayev were murdered in November 2005 and February 2006, respectively.

Somebody doesn't like opposition parties.

Brother Oz · 01-09-2007, 06:08 PM

Wow, I didn't realsie he was murdering them.

CHUQ · 01-10-2007, 06:13 AM

There seems to be an authoritarian thing going on. Since the country has a pretty sizeable oil and gas reserve, it will be interesting to see where this goes.

Tumbleweed · 01-10-2007, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Oz

Wow, I didn't realsie he was murdering them.

He might not be. It could be someone doing it on his behalf. It's just my impression after looking into the style of government they have and what opposition parties there are in Kazakstan.

It's rather easy to get 90% of the vote when you don't have an organized opponet.