Resignation of Kazakhstan government explained by political analyst
Resignations of the Government and Prime-Minister of Kazakhstan have been unexpectedly announced yesterday, April 2. The former PM Serik Akhmetov was replaced by Karim Massimov, then head of the Presidential Administration. The Parliament deputies unanimously voted for the appointment of Massimov and the President signed the decree appointing him as Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.
Resignations of the Government and Prime-Minister of Kazakhstan have been unexpectedly announced yesterday, April 2. The former PM Serik Akhmetov was replaced by Karim Massimov, then head of the Presidential Administration. The Parliament deputies unanimously voted for the appointment of Massimov and the President signed the decree appointing him as Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstani political scientist Yerlan Karin offered an explanation of the situation as well as elaborated on the possible changes that will occur in the Cabinet with the arrival of the new leader, Tengrinews reports.
According to Karin, the drawback of Akhmetov’s administration was the absence of a clear plan and strategy to implement the presidential State-of-the-Nation Addresses. Two important messages were declared during Akhmetov’s tenure – Strategy 2050 and Mangilik Yel.
One of the main reasons, in Karin’s words, was the lack of any considerable dynamism in the implementation of the goals set forth in the Strategy 2050. "It seems to me that the previous government of Akhmetov did not provide adequate pace and dynamism into the realization this strategy," the analyst said.
Political, economic, and technological opportunities were not exploited by Akhmetov’s Cabinet. The inability to use the President’s framework in the general development strategy by the Cabinet was a serious failure on the part of Akhmetov, Karin continued.
“For example, during the crisis period of 2008-2009, the previous Cabinet of Massimov, developed a new program for implementation of anti-crisis measures. Just as well, Akhmetov’s government had to develop its own plan, its concept of realization of these objectives,” Karin said.
The analyst also shared his expectations from Massimov’s Cabinet. Karin believes that it will first develop a clear plan with respect to the structure and organization of the new president's strategy. In addition, he believes that separate plans may be developed for economic and social spheres.
The analyst stressed the importance of international factors, both economic and political. For example, he noted the changes in the global market, where new risks emerge and develop swiftly. This has been becoming increasingly evident with respect to the recent devaluation of currency - the tenge plunged nearly 20% in February. The political factors, such as the situation in Russia, are also important and require changes in approaching the economic objectives.
Karin reminded that President, while speaking on the appointment of the new prime minister, had stressed the importance of cooperation with international institutions and foreign investors. In this respect, Massimov is better suited for the PM position, since he is well known to foreign businessmen, representatives of international financial and economic structures. Moreover, Massimov’s connections and experience would help in devising a new strategy, finding reserves and foreign investment, the analyst concluded.
Karin also commented on the possible changes in the composition of the Cabinet. He explained that even if the political figures would change, it would not lead to drastic changes in policies and models. In some other countries, the composition of the cabinet greatly determines the approach towards economic policy, since the Ministers may be adhering to various models. However, in Kazakhstan, even if the faces will be new, they will be selected from the available pool of candidates. He further noted that in order to add dynamism some changes were possible in a select number of areas, such as the socio-economic sector.
According to Karin, there could be possible structural changes in the Cabinet: consolidation and reallocation of resources, reformation in the work of various divisions. In the past, Massimov demonstrated a strive for optimization and modernization, leading Karin to assert that changes are to be expected.
His personality was also noted by Karin: deep immersion into the work, fast pace, and willingness to work without holidays. Such style, in Karin’s opinion, would have an effect on the general work of the government.
Reporting by Asemgul Kasenova, writing by Dinara Urazova