Publication

This publication examines factors that contributed to the resignation of Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev, examines the implications this development holds for the country, and reflects on Nazarbayev’s leadership. Key insights include 1) that one factor prompting Nazarbayev’s resignation was that he was the last of the Soviet-era leaders still in power; 2) Nazarbayev is not leaving entirely – he retains the title “The Leader of the Nation,” will remain leader of his political party, and will also chair the Security Council, which gives him substantial ruling powers in very real terms; 3) Nazarbayev’s successor, President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, will follow much the same path as his predecessor, and more.