Balayeva Appointed Deputy Prime Minister

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balayeva, has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister while retaining her ministerial portfolio, according to a decree signed by the president, Orda.kz reports.

Her candidacy was endorsed by a Majilis committee, formally placing her among the central decision-makers in government.

Balayeva has headed the Ministry of Culture and Information since September 2023 and remained in office after the new cabinet was formed in early 2024. Born in 1974 in the Almaty region, she holds degrees in Russian language and literature, as well as law.

Over the years, she has held key positions in akimats, the Presidential Administration, and previously led the Ministry of Information and Social Development. She also holds a PhD in Sociology and is a recipient of the Order of Honor.

Recently, Balayeva announced that the ministry is considering amendments that may restrict filming or photography without consent, particularly in cases of pranks or harassment. She emphasized that a working group is already being formed to discuss these changes.

At the same time, she has publicly criticized intimidation of the press, arguing that attacks on journalists undermine state institutions.

This is being done not only to discredit or intimidate individual independent journalists, but also to discredit government agencies and the state as a whole,
 said Balayeva.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov