Building on this reform, Kazakhstan may consider, in the long term, the election of akimats at all levels (including those of Astana and Almaty) through the maslikhats, rather than appointment by the central government. A reform of this kind would increase the responsiveness of local governments to their citizens through democratic institutions, since members of the maslikhat are publicly elected. The aim would be to reinforce the weak local authorities and councils. This would be comparable to the Netherlands, where mayors are indirectly elected.