Kazakhstan has found itself in its first period of political uncertainty in 30 years following the surprise resignation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Central Asia’s largest energy exporter is expected to hold presidential elections in 2020, until which time Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will take over as acting president. The Kazakh government announced on Monday that it would not seek a third term for Nazarbayev and instead support his son, Ilham Aliyev, who was elected president last month.
Kazakhstan has found itself in its first period of political uncertainty in 30 years following the surprise resignation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Central Asia’s largest energy exporter is expected to hold presidential elections in 2020, until which time Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev 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.