Kazakh government resigns, not everyone will return

Experts are convinced: the Cabinet will change by 50%, they will start with the prime minister

The government of Kazakhstan, headed by Alikhan Smailov, resigned in connection with the election of a new composition of the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament). President Tokayev instructed the government to fulfill its duties until the formation of a new cabinet. At the same time, experts doubt that Smailov will retain the post of prime minister.

As Smailov explained earlier, the government is resigning in accordance with the new Constitution: “Who will be the new prime minister is decided by the president and the new Mazhilis of the parliament.”

The procedure is as follows: the president consults with all parliamentary factions and submits the candidacy of the prime minister for consideration by the deputies. After their approval, a new head of government is appointed. And after that, new members of the Cabinet are appointed.

Experts interviewed by MK could not recall almost a single positive decision that the Smailov government made over the past year. Therefore, the question of resignation may not be technical, but quite real. “Everyone understood that this government would not last long. Over the past year, they have practically no successes, but there were huge failures, ”says the political scientist Chingiz Lepsibaev.

He recalled two episodes that resounded throughout the country: a fire in the national park of Kazakhstan last summer and the city of Ekibastuz, where several thousand people were left without heating in winter. The failure of the ministries to address these problems rebounded on the ratings of the entire government.

“The emphasis was on President Tokayev, and the activities of the government rather remained in the shadows,” says MK. Director of the Central Asian Development Fund Tolganai Umbetalieva. – It is difficult to single out something significant, except for moments of crisis. I would rate their work at a small three. We remember the crisis in January in Ekibastuz and understand that the same outdated heating networks are all over Kazakhstan.”

Among other memorable moments is the media law, which was criticized in the media themselves for violating rights and freedoms. “Unfortunately, there were many problems. For example, prices have risen sharply. But we did not see any serious decisions or proposals from the government,” Umbetaliyeva notes.

As for the new composition of the government, the experts agreed that there will be many new people in the Cabinet of Ministers. “I negatively assess the work of the government and hope that these people will not be in the new composition. New members of the government will have to work in new conditions. In 2021, a new state planning system was adopted in the country. And the new Cabinet of Ministers should focus on the fact that there are three years left until the end of this five-year plan, ”Lepsibaev notes.

Umbetaliyeva suggested that the Cabinet of Ministers could be updated by 40-50%. Some ministers, especially the newly appointed ones, will keep their seats, but others will find it harder to hold on. At the same time, it is difficult to name a candidate for the post of prime minister. The new head of government must meet many requirements, the expert notes.

“I think it will be a person who understands the field of health and social policy. The winter showed that the infrastructure was worn out throughout the country, the akims of the regions did not work well, although a lot of money was allocated from the budget. In addition, the emphasis can be placed on a person who understands agriculture – it was with this pre-election point that the parties went to the parliamentary elections.

Recall, on March 19, parliamentary elections were held in Kazakhstan. According to the CEC, the majority of votes (53.9%) was received by the ruling Amanat party. The Auyl, Respublika, Ak Zhol, People’s Party of Kazakhstan and the National Social Democratic Party also entered the parliament.