MOSCOW—Kazakhstan’s president, an autocrat who has ruled since the fall of the Soviet Union, unexpectedly announced his resignation on Tuesday, plunging Central Asia’s biggest energy exporter into its greatest period of uncertainty in three decades. In a television address, 78-year-old President Nursultan Nazarbayev said he would step down on Wednesday and that Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev would take over until presidential elections are held. Without snap elections, the next poll will be in 2020. ...
Kazakhstan has found itself in its first period of political uncertainty in 30 years following the surprise resignation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Central Asia’s largest energy exporter is expected to hold presidential elections in 2020, until which time Senate Chairman Nursultan Nazarbayev will take over as acting president. In the meantime, the country’s priority is likely to be maintaining good relations with Moscow and Beijing, and ensuring some continuity of political stability.