Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev relieves PM Massimov

Kazakhstan Prime-Minister Karim Massimov has filed a resignation. President Nursultan Nazarbayev accepted his resignation temporarily leaving the Kazakhstan Government without a head, Tengrinews.kz reports. "I've submitted a resignation request to the Head of the State. Resignation is accepted," PM Massimov wrote in his Twitter today. According to AFP newswire's sources, Kazakh leader Nursultan Nazarbayev on Monday asked Prime Minister Karim Massimov to head his powerful presidential administration amid ongoing jostling to succeed the veteran strongman. The agency's government source said Massimov's place will be taken by First Deputy Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov who is a close ally of Nazarbayev. RIA Novosti news agency's unnamed government source provided a similar information: "Massimov will head the presidential administration of Kazakhstan." These expectations are most likely grounded since Yermukhamed Yertysbayev, Nazarbayev's Adviser who rarely misses in his statements or forecasts, was quoted by Tengrinews.kz as saying this Saturday, September 22: "It is most probable that there will be a reshuffling on Monday. It is quite likely to involve Karim Massimov's appointment head of the Presidential Administration. In 5.5 years of work he has proved to be one of the most efficient managers in the country. He successfully performed economic management. There are currently several important issues in terms of political management: that’s what the Presidential Administration does.” The moves still have to be approved by the Parliament of Kazakhstan before coming into force. A new Prime-Minister is expected to be presented to the Parliament for submission as well. Karim Massimov served as Kazakhstan Prime-Minister since January 10, 2007. In 2001-2003 he used to work as deputy head of Kazakhstan’s government, then as President’s Assistant. In 2006 he worked as deputy Prime-Minister of Kazakhstan. Massimov is also president of Kazakhstan’s Muay Thai Federation.