Kazakhstan’s poll could yield clue to succession

Astana, March 20 

Kazakhstan's ruling party is almost certain to retain control over the lower house of parliament in a snap election on Sunday, but the vote may still play a part in deciding who will succeed President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Nazarbayev's Nur Otan party faces no real competition, and it should benefit from a rebound in oil prices and the local currency, the tenge. Harder to predict is the makeup of Nur Otan's faction, as it has 127 candidates vying for places in the 107-seat Mazhilis, the lower house.

All eyes will be on the president's daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva, who is deputy prime minister and also on the party list as a candidate. If she leaves the government, she could become the speaker of the lower house, which would solidify her position as a potential successor to her 75-year-old father.

Nazarbayeva did not speak to reporters as she cast her ballot at a polling station in the capital, Astana. But her father said his government was considering giving the parliament more powers in a constitutional reform.

He also indicated that a major government reshuffle was unlikely after the vote because “we should let them complete the tasks they have undertaken”.

Nazarbayev, who has led the former Soviet republic since 1989 and brooks little dissent, called the vote in January, apparently favouring an early election in case the economy were to worsen in the course of the year. — Reuters