President of Kazakhstan Kasim-Jomart Tokayev spoke in an interview about the role of former leader Nursultan Nazarbayev after his retirement.
“It must be said that although Nursultan Nazarbayev resigned, he did not maintain political integrity while occupying the position of SC chairman. He regularly invited the Prime Minister, the President of the National Bank, ministers, and governors and had meetings. Not to mention, our citizens, foreign leaders, and diplomats were also surprised.
“After leaving the post, Nazarbayev was even promoted. Now, the President also reports to him.” There was such a joke, and, in fact, it was not a joke,” said Tokaev.
According to the President of Kazakhstan, this situation has led to large-scale discussions about dualism, which confused the officials.
“Some officials, to put it mildly, tried to legitimize this incredible situation. Nursultan Nazarbayev said at the Astana club meeting in November 2021 that he may return to Akorda, citing 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad as an example. This statement of Nursultan Nazarbayev and his participation in the CIS summit held in St. Petersburg in December of the same year are the main events that led to the current power crisis. However, now it is necessary to show common sense and correctly assess Nursultan Nazarbayev’s historical contribution to the development of Kazakhstan. As the President, I must manage the interests of the state and put the national interests above everything else,” he emphasized, noting that now he and Nazarbayev are in contact by phone once a month.
“The December meeting of Nursultan Nazarbayev and Vladimir Putin is the second meeting last year. The media did not discuss the first meeting at the beginning of autumn. They may have met as old friends and colleagues and shared stories. Nursultan Abishula usually initiates such meetings. This is very important for him. As former chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR, party leader, and President of sovereign Kazakhstan, Nursultan Abishula has close moral and political ties to the Kremlin. He spent a lot of time in Moscow, made several business trips, participated in congresses and plenums, made business and official visits,” added the President of Kazakhstan.
